Karnataka Election: PM Narendra Modi, Sonia Gandhi, Amit Shah and Rahul Gandhi will all campaign today
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi hit the campaign trail today in Karnataka, where assembly election will be held on Saturday. Two years after she quit an election rally midway in Varanasi, she is speaking at Vijayapura -- a constituency where Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed a rally as well today. The 71-year-old UPA chairperson has not been well for some time. She was taken ill during the rally in Varanasi ahead of the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and had to be admitted at a Delhi hospital.
With campaigning for the Karnataka assembly election 2018 scheduled to end 48 hours before voting on Saturday, star campaigners from both the BJP and the Congress are holding roadshows and rallies across the state. The BJP will also release it manifesto for Bengaluru. It had already released a manifesto for the rest of Karnataka last week. Congress president Rahul Gandhi and BJP chief Amit Shah will also continue with their respective campaigns in the state.
Here are the highlights from the Karnataka assembly election 2018 campaign:
Karnataka's Chief Electoral Officer Sanjiv Kumar addressing a press conference,said two trunk-loads of counterfoil strips which appeared to be the acknowledgement slips of the form used to add names of voters, were also found.
The Election Commission tonight ordered an inquiry into the discovery of nearly 10,000 voter ID cards from a Bengaluru apartment that the BJP alleged, was linked to a Congress lawmaker.
The Election Commission has said polling time in the Karnataka assembly election on May 12 has been extended by an hour due to extreme summer heat in the southern state. This will help people cast their vote even in the late hours, the EC has said. Polling will now be held from 7 am to 6 pm.
"Wherever Modi-ji goes he says wrong things and distorts historical facts. He uses the names of heroes from our history for his political motives," Sonia Gandhi said in Bijapur.
"Modi-ji is proud of the fact that he is a very good orator, I agree with this. He speaks like an actor. I'll be happy is his speeches can end hunger of the country but speeches cannot fill empty stomachs, food is needed for that... You cannot fill your stomach with your speeches. Modi-ji's speeches cannot cure diseases. You need medicine to cure diseases," Sonia Gandhi said.
"All states that suffered drought were given compensation (by centre), Karnataka was provided with the least, this was like rubbing salting into the wounds of farmers. I ask Modi-ji, is this your sabka saath, sabka vikas?" Sonia Gandhi said at a rally in Karnataka.
"We have worked tirelessly for the poor. We started Mahatma Gandhi NREGA which was objected by the BJP and by Modi-ji. Farmers of Karnataka have been suffering due to drought, your CM Siddaramaiah wanted to meet PM over this issues but he refused. By doing this he has insulted not only the farmers but also the state of Karnataka," Sonia Gandhi said in Bijapur.
"Standing by each other and working together, that is the essence of Karnataka and of India," Sonia Gandhi said in Bijapur.
"Congress has worked for development of Karnataka and you must know that the central government is working in a biased manner when it comes to Karnataka. Congress made Karnataka country's number one state and started numerous scheme for people," UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi said at a rally in Karnataka's Bijapur today.
"We have brought the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Farmers in Karnataka have hugely benefited from the scheme," PM Modi said.
"Congress only thinks about its own welfare. They do not care about farmers. We are committed to welfare of farmers. We have decided to increase MSP (minimum support price) of notified crops by 1.5 times," PM Modi said in Koppal.
"I urge the people of Karnataka to ask a question to the present Karnataka CM. What happened to the irrigation project they promised? Where did the money for the project go," PM Modi said in Koppal.
"Why is it that farmers of Karnataka face shortage of water? The Congress government, being in sleep mode, is doing nothing to address their problems. In five years, they ruined the farmers of Karnataka," PM Modi said.
"Saints and seers from Karnataka have inspired generations. Their initiatives towards water conservation is laudable," PM Modi said at a rally in Karnataka's Koppal today.
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are locked in a tussle over sharing the water of the Cauvery river. The decades old water-sharing issue is an
emotive one in both the southern states. Water scarcity in Karnataka is one of the important election issues being discussed ahead of the Karnataka assembly election to be held on Saturday.
"Protecting the girl child is our commitment. We believe in the mantra of
beta beti ek samaan," PM Modi said.
"We have embarked on a journey to make our villages smoke-free. We are ensuring cooking gas for the poor women in villages," PM Modi said.
"When I had spoken about Swachh Bharat and building toilets from the Red Fort, the naamdaars mocked me. Sadly, those who are born with a golden spoon, never understand the difficulties of poor. We are committed to serve people and would continue to do so," PM Modi said at the rally in Karnataka's Koppal.
"Two years back, I had referred to a young girl Mallamma from Koppal during my Mann Ki Baat (radio address). Am glad she took the Swachhata drive with great zeal and today several women are leading the cleanliness drive across the country," PM Modi said at the rally in Karnataka's Koppal.
"We are promoting tourism in Karnataka. We are connecting distant places through airways," PM Modi said at the rally in Koppal, as the crowd chanted "Modi! Modi!"
"After coming to power in Karnataka, the shameful Congress party even did not spare school going kids. They selected students on the grounds of caste for trips and excursions," PM Modi said at the rally in Koppal. "The Congress did nothing to promote tourism and rich history of Karnataka," he alleged.
"BJP believes in rashtra bhakti and serving the society. Our only mantra is sabka saath, sabka vikaas. But for the Congress party, only one family means everything," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a rally in Karnataka's Koppal.
Watch: Congress President Rahul Gandhi Attacks BJP Chief Amit Shah, Calls Him "Murder Accused"
It is the Congress party that did not allow the law on Triple Talaq to be passed. How is the Congress even talking about women empowerment: PM Modi in Karnataka's Vijayapura
The Congress has never been serious about the safety of women. Here in Vijayapura there was a case but what did the Congress government do? Nothing. It is the NDA Government that has got a tough law that will ensure safety of women: PM Modi in Karnataka's Vijayapura
The central government has brought social security schemes that are benefiting the poor. It is our Government that worked on electrification of villages that had no power for 70 long years: PM Modi in Karnataka's Vijayapura
It is the saints, seers and mutts who have played a key role in making the society of Karnataka progressive and harmonious. They have worked to remove human suffering: PM Modi in Karnataka's Vijayapura
Can you name a single minister of Karnataka who has not been alleged of corruption? Everyone knows about the nexus between the contractors and the irrigation Minister: PM Modi in Vijayapura
What has the Congress done for the farmers of Karnataka? When the state was hit by drought, their ministers who were handling key portfolios were busy doing politics in Delhi: PM Modi at a public rally in Vijayapura
What has the Congress done for the farmers of Karnataka? When the state was suffering due to droughts, Ministers handling key portfolios were busy in Delhi doing politics: PM Modi in Karnataka's Vijayapura
In today's Karnataka government, can any of you name a single minister who does not have charges of corruption against them?: PM Modi in Karnataka's Vijayapura
I am here in a land closely association with Bhagwan Basaveshwara. His philosophy called for taking all sections of society together. Sadly, the Congress government has not followed his principles. All they are bothered about is their votes: PM Modi in Karnataka's Vijayapura
This is the land of Bhagvan Basaveshwara, who wanted people to live and work in harmony. The people of this land will never let the Congress divide them on the basis of caste and religion: PM Modi in Karnataka's Vijayapura
Instead of going among the people, the Congress leaders are thinking about what excuses to make about a certain defeat. The reasons for their excuse will include faulty EVMs and other such reasons: PM Modi in Karnataka's Vijayapura
People have gathered here for this rally in large numbers. They are here because they want to show their support for BJP and aspire a better life in the coming five years. The people of Karnataka have decided to punish the Congress party: PM Modi in Karnataka's Vijayapura
Watch LIVE: PM Modi's Election Rally Speech In Karnataka's Vijayapura
Big Turnout At BJP Chief Amit Shah's Roadshow In Karnataka's Madikeri Constituency
According to news agency ANI, Congress president Rahul Gandhi takes a dig at PM Modi in Bengaluru, says: "Prime Minister Modi only says his 'mann ki baat' but doesn't listens to what the country has to say to him"
BJP chief Amit Shah offers prayers at Chowdeshwari Temple in Karnataka's Madikeri
Watch LIVE: Amit Shah's Roadshow In Karnataka's Madikeri Constituency
Watch: PM Narendra Modi Reminds Rahul Gandhi And Sonia Gandhi That They Are "Out On Bail"
Congress President Rahul Gandhi's Attack On BJP Chief Amit Shah
"Let's Debate": BS Yeddyurappa Responds To Siddaramaiah's ChallengeIssued twice from the Congress to the BJP, the 15-minute debate challenge has finally been accepted. BS Yeddyurappa tweeted this evening to indicate that he was game for a debate with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who had issued the challenge this morning in full-scale newspaper advertisements."
Rahul Gandhi, In Bengaluru, Questions BJP Over Its Chief Ministerial CandidateRahul Gandhi has questioned the BJP's decision to name BS Yeddyurappa as their chief ministerial candidate in Karnataka. Attacking the BJP, Mr Gandhi said in Bengaluru, "We are repeatedly asking the prime minister why has he chosen a corrupt person, who has been in jail as his party's CM candidate?"
Karnataka Election: BJP Chief Amit Shah's Campaign Schedule Today
Karnataka Election: PM Narendra Modi's Campaign Schedule Today
Congress president Rahul Gandhi meets and interacts with residents of Bengaluru at the launch of the Samruddha Bharat Foundation.
Karnataka Election: Congress President Rahul Gandhi's Campaign Schedule Today
Amit Shah And Rahul Gandhi To Address Multiple Rallies In Karnataka TodayBJP chief Amit Shah and Congress president Rahul Gandhi will also continue with their respective campaigns in the state.
(File Photo: Amit Shah has been campaigning aggressively across Karnataka for the past month) Karnataka Election 2018: Sonia Gandhi To Address Election Rally After Nearly 2 YearsUPA chairperson and former Congress president Sonia Gandhi will also be holding a rally today. It will be her first election rally in nearly 2 years. Her rally is scheduled for 3 pm this afternoon.
(File Photo: Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will hold multiple election rallies in Karnataka today) PM Modi Gives Boost To BJP's Campaign In Karnataka - Will Hold 3 Important Rallies TodayPrime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing three important rallies today - in Vijayapura, Mangaluru, Bengaluru. The BJP will also release it manifesto for Bengaluru. It had already released a manifesto for the rest of Karnataka last week.
(File Photo: PM Modi will hold 3 important rallies in Karnataka today - in Vijayapura, Mangaluru, Bengaluru) The Karnataka Assembly election 2018 is just four days away, and all the political parties contesting are on mission mode to gain as much ground as possible. With campaigning scheduled to end 48 hours before voting on Saturday, star campaigners from both the BJP and the Congress are holding roadshows and rallies across the state.