Congress means corruption, lies; BJP will deliver: PM Modi in Karnataka

New Delhi/Bengaluru: Seeking support for the "double engine government", Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asserted that the BJP is the only party that can fulfil the aspirations of the people of Karnataka. The PM, who held a massive roadshow before addressing two campaign rallies, slammed the Congress, saying the Opposition party has only worked to "destabilise and discourage India’s ancient democratic traditions". He also claimed that the OBCs, Lingayats and others in Karnataka are "angry over the Congress' lies and abuses" and that the Opposition party stands for "85 per cent commission" and appeasement politics.

With the month-long campaigning for the May 10 Assembly elections in the southern state nearing an end, the PM held a massive roadshow in Bengaluru, with the BJP claiming that more than 8-lakh people participated during the 26 km-long stretch from Someshwar Bhavan RBI Ground in Bengaluru South to Malleshwaram's Sankey Tank.

A much shorter roadshow of the Prime Minister, about 10 km between Kempegowda statue at Thippasandra and Trinity Circle, will be held on Sunday.

Addressing a rally in Badami in Bagalkote district, the Prime Minister said that the overwhelming response he received in Bengaluru during the roadshow made him believe that it is the people who are contesting the 2023 Assembly elections in Karnataka on behalf of the BJP.

Mr Modi said: "The people of Karnataka are fighting on behalf of the BJP. I see the total control of the election in the hands of the people."

The Prime Minister said the "never-seen-before love and affection" he saw in Bengaluru was "unparalleled".

"This morning, I went to have a 'darshan' (opportunity to see) of ‘janata janardhan' (public god) in Bengaluru. People gave me ‘never-seen-before' love and affection," said Mr Modi while addressing a public meeting in Bagalkote district. He also said the BJP's "double engine" government has been working on bringing in development without discrimination.

Former chief minister and Congress stalwart Siddaramaiah, who is contesting from Varuna this time, represents Badami constituency in the outgoing Assembly.

Taking a swipe at Mr Siddaramaiah, the Prime Minister said, "I have heard that Mr Siddaramaiah is saying that whatever development has happened in the last 3.5 years was due to his government's efforts. His confessional statement is self-explanatory -- if there is anyone who does the work, then it is the double-engine government."

Hitting out at the Congress, Mr Modi said the party means total corruption, scams, and 85 per cent commission" and can never work to serve the people.

Addressing another rally in Haveri, the PM claimed that Karnataka and the entire nation have become aware of the corruption, appeasement and misrule of the Congress.

Slamming the Congress for cheating people, the PM said that the party has been making false commitments during the election campaigns for a long time, but when people ask about fulfilling them after the Congress comes to power, they say a committee has been formed to look into it.

"Have a look at their track record and find out how false their guarantees are," Mr Modi said, as he listed out Congress' false guarantees in party-ruled states like Himachal Pradesh.

The Prime Minister said: "Fifty years ago, the Congress gave its biggest guarantee of 'garibi hatao' (getting rid of poverty). The entire election was fought on this one guarantee by the Congress... It is their biggest fraud in history, which is still going on."

Claiming that the Congress has been making several false guarantees in Karnataka as well, the Prime Minister further cautioned the voters and urged them to respond to it during voting on May 10.

Earlier in the morning, during the roadshow, the Prime Minister was accompanied by Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and Bengaluru Central MP P.C. Mohan.

Standing on the specially designed vehicle, Mr Modi greeted the crowd gathered on the sides of the roads and on nearby buildings, many of whom were seen chanting "Modi, Modi", "Jai Bajarangbali" and "Bharat Mata ki Jai" slogans.

At many places, people showered him with flower petals as the PM cavalcade passed through the stretch slowly, amid the sounds of drum beats. The Prime Minister, too, responded by showering the flower petals gathered on the vehicle back at the crowd.

Massive arrangements had been made along the stretch, including erecting barricades, to ensure that the roadshow went smoothly. Tight security was put in place.

The entire distance was decorated in saffron hues as the BJP flags were seen on either side of the road, and thousands of party workers and supporters too were wearing saffron shawls and caps. Cultural teams were also stationed at different places along the stretch to welcome Mr Modi. Saffron flags with Lord Hanuman's face on them were also spotted at several places.

Keeping the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in mind, the BJP on Friday modified Mr Modi's two-day roadshow in Bengaluru by scheduling the extensive event on Saturday and a shorter one on May 7.

The roadshow, earlier scheduled to be held for eight hours on Saturday alone, was split into two parts -- on Saturday and Sunday -- to avoid inconvenience to the public.