Speak for 15 minutes without reading from paper: Modi dares Rahul in K'taka

Mysuru: With an aim to dethrone Congress from Karnataka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi kick started his campaign in the poll-bound state today. The Prime Minister, who would be addressing 15 rallies in different parts of the state in 5 days, is addressing a rally at Santhemarahalli in Chamarajanagara district.

Speaking at the rally, PM Modi said, “Before I came here, I was told there is a 'wave' for the BJP in Karnataka. Now that I am here, I can tell you - it is much more than that. There is not a BJP wave in Karnataka but it is a BJP storm.”

Lauding BJP’s state chief Yeddyurappa, the Prime Minister said, “BS Yeddyurappa is the hope of the people of Karnataka and he is going to be the next chief minister of the state.”

On day 1 of his election campaign, PM Modi also lashed out at the critics while speaking about rural electrification.

"We have done what was not done in the last 70 years since independence. We aim to electrify the 4 crore households of the 25 crore households which are still not electrified," the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said that he dedicates the historical achievement of the country on 28 April, when all villages in India were electrified, to the workers and labourers of the country on the occasion of Labour day.

Taking a dig at the Congress party, PM Modi said, “In 2005, Manmohan Singh had said he will provide electricity to every village by 2009. What happened to that? In any case, we saw how the Congress treated Dr. Manmohan Singh. They tore off ordinances and disrespected him.”

Responding to Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s 15-minutes face-off challenge in Parliament, Prime Minister Modi said, “He (Rahul Gandhi) had challenged me that if he speaks for 15 minutes then I will not be able to stand in front of him. Yes, you are right, you are a 'naamdar', what right do we 'kaamdaars' have to even sit in front of you.”

PM Modi further challenged Rahul Gandhi to speak for 15 minutes on the achievements of Congress government in Karnataka without reading from any piece of paper.

“You (Rahul Gandhi) can speak in Hindi, English or your mother tongue (Italian),” the Prime Minister added.

PM Modi further said, “In Karnataka there is no law, there is no order. The Lokayukta is not safe, how can the common people be safe.”

Accusing the Congress party of nepotism, the Prime Minister said, “There is 2+1 formula which being practiced in Karnataka, it is a version of the Congress's family politics in Karnataka. Kabhi kabhi jaagnewale aur zadatar soonewale yahan ke CM ka yeh political innovation hai (This is the initiative of the chief minister, who is mostly sleeping)."

"If CM has a 2+1 formula then ministers have 1+1 formula. Relatives of the ministers are fighting polls. This is hurting the workers of the Congress," he added.

Attacking the Siddaramaiah government, PM Modi said the state was not progressing due to unemployment and the state was not able to tap the tourism potential under the current government.

"Why are the people of Chamarajanagar not getting access to proper drinking water, jobs and why is the tourism potential here not being harnessed. What is the state government doing?" he asked.

Speaking about Centre’s achievements, Prime Minister Modi said, “It is the NDA government that is working to transform the lives of farmers. The farmers of Karnataka are benefitting from the various initiatives of the central government.”