Karnataka knows of 2-engine power: PM

New Delhi: Sharing winning tips with BJP workers in the poll-bound state of Karnataka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday sounded confident that Kannadigas would vote for the “double engine sarkar” as they know whenever the BJP is given a chance to serve, the speed of development increases manifold. Urging the BJP cadre to strengthen the party’s organisational presence at the booth level, the PM said it was the duty of a karyakarta to ensure each and every member of a family in their particular booth cast his or her vote as Karnataka had decided to give its blessings to the party, that doesn’t believe in the “revdi culture” of distributing freebies) like the Congress. The PM is due to go on the campaign trail in the state from Saturday, when he is scheduled to address six public meetings and hold two roadshows in two days.

The PM, who was addressing the BJP cadre virtually and also replying to their questions, attacked the Congress, calling it the “biggest source of corruption” and said its politics was all about staying in power rather than serving the people. Mr Modi said the Congress has promoted the “revdi culture” in the country, which had left some states with huge debts. For the Karnataka election, the Congress has already announced “guarantees”, including 200 units of free power for all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), and Rs 3,000 every month for graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders (both in 18-25 age group) for two years (YuvaNidhi) if the party comes to power in the state.

The BJP had earlier said that about 50 lakh workers from 58,112 booths would be attending the “virtual rally” of the Prime Minister.

“In our country some political parties have made politics the means of power and corruption, to achieve this, they are using all means like ‘saam, dham, dhand, bedh’. These political parties don't think about the future of the country, future generation of Karnataka, its youth, women,” Mr Modi said.

He said that because of this freebie politics, several states are making large-scale spending for the sake of partisan politics, which is also eating into the “share” of future generations.

“The country cannot be run like this, governments cannot be run like this. Governments have to think about the future, along with the present. Governments cannot run just for day-to-day needs, they have to work on asset creation, so that the lives of families are on track for decades,” Mr Modi said.

Asserting that the BJP does not believe in taking shortcuts, Mr Modi said: “The BJP doesn't think about five years of its own rule, but thinks about the country. We don't think about the party but think about the country. We don't think just about present electoral politics but about taking India ahead in the next 25 years.”

Attacking the Congress for its “revdi culture” in Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, the PM said their poll guarantees have still remained as guarantee. “Congress means guarantee of corruption, guarantee of nepotism… Congress has reached a stage where it cannot give true guarantees, you are aware that the Congress’ warranty has expired, then what is the meaning of its guarantees?”