Voting for Congress would mean a 'reverse gear government': Shah in Karnataka

Bagalkot/Vijayapura: Home Minister Amit Shah warned that voting for Congress would mean a "reverse gear government." He claimed that only BJP can provide political stability and fulfill the dream of a new, developed Karnataka.

Shah was speaking at the public rally held in Vijayapura and Bagalkot on Tuesday.

"Voting for Congress would mean a 'reverse gear government.' The development of the state would go in reverse gear and the state would witness all-time high corruption and appeasement and riots if Congress comes to power," he said.

He claimed that only BJP can provide political stability and fulfill the dream of a new, developed Karnataka.

Shah also questioned the Congress's stance on the reservation, stating that BJP believes reservation should not be based on religion and that the party removed the 4% reservation given to Muslims after which the reservation of SC-ST, Lingayat, and Vokkaligas had been increased.

“Congress president says that if Congress is voted to power they will provide back the reservation of the Muslims. Then Congress should say as to whose reservation would be decreased? Will they decrease the reservation of SC, ST, Vokkaligas or Lingayats?” he questioned.

The Home Minister also mocked the Congress for placing its expectations on leaders (Laxman Savadi and Jagadish Shettar) who had recently quit BJP and joined Congress, alleging that Congress did not respect the Lingayats.

"Two leaders had left us. Congress feels that it will benefit them. But there is nothing like that. They always did not respect the Lingayats. In the past, the Congress had made two Lingayats- Nijalingappa and Virendra Patil as Chief Ministers and everybody knows how they were treated. Now Congress has placed its expectations on the two leaders who left us. This shows the bankruptcy of the Congress," he mocked.

Shah also alleged that Congress through JD(S) was responsible for dethroning BS Yediyurappa.

He said that the double-engine government had taken measures to ensure social justice and that it would make Karnataka the most developed state in South India.

Shah also mocked the Congress leaders for fighting for the post of Chief Minister.

"Two leaders of the Congress are fighting for the post of CM. But it is not their number as they will not win this election. BJP will come to power in this election," he stated.