Karnataka Election 2018: PM Modi is addressing a rally in Chitradurga.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today slammed the Congress for ignoring the interests of Dalits and said the party had insulted the architect of India's Constitution B.R. Ambedkar. Addressing a rally in in Chitradurga, about 200 km northwest of Bengaluru, the PM said: "The Congress has insulted Ambedkar. They have never accepted him. The Congress never had any time for him". PM Modi is addressing four rallies today; his party colleague Amit Shah is also campaigning in the poll-bound state.
Leaders from both the BJP and Congress have engaged into a war of words in the run up to the polling day on May 12. On Saturday, PM Modi amped up his criticism against the Congress, predicting the return of the BJP to Karnataka and squeeze Rahul Gandhi's party to just two states. "When the results for the Karnataka elections are out on May 15, then it will not be an Indian National Congress. It will become PPP Congress. That means Punjab, Puducherry, Parivar Congress," he said.
Karnataka goes to polls on May 12 and 2,655 candidates, including 219 women, are in the poll fray for securing 224 seats up. The results will be declared on May 15.
Here are the highlights on the Karnataka assembly elections 2018:
- Raichur people don't get electricity in their homes. This is the injustice done by Congress
- By 2022 we will give double electricity to the people
- LED bulb was of Rs 300 in Sonia government, now it is of Rs 50. I will fight against this loot
"We stand for Sabka saath, sabka vikas, Congress for corruption"
Our government has done a lot of work on solar energy. We want to harness the potential of solar energy in Karnataka as well: PM Modi in Raichur
PM Modi's public meeting in Raichur- This huge crowd is an answer to people who sit in AC and talk about hung assembly
- I can never forget Raichur. First time, I came here in 1991. I remember we reached here at 3 am, we were greeted by massive crowd in a local stadium
- Your love has crossed the barrier of language between us
In the UPA government, LED bulbs used to be sold for Rs 300. Now, you can get them for Rs 40-50: PM Modi
The Congress Party had an ecosystem of looting. My government has come down heavily on them. We have stopped leakages. Don't you think that would make the Congress angry with me? Don't you think they will abuse me, says PM Modi
This huge crowd is an answer to people who sit in AC and talk about hung assembly, says PM Modi in Raichur
Data provided by the Chief Electoral Office in Karnataka has indicated that the BJP will contest all 224 seats, while the Congress will contest 222 seats. The H.D. Devegowda-led Janata Dal-Secular will contest on 201 seats.
We preferred that Dr APJ Abdul Kalam become the President of India: PM Modi- When we had the numbers to play a key role in the election of a President, we did not play party politics. Atal ji and BJP government made APJ Abdul Kalam the President of India instead of the caste,religion difference.
- We could have made anyone our President, but we chose Ram Nath Kovind who is a dalit and comes from a poor family
- We strengthened the anti-dalit violence law
"For the sake of one family, Congress sidelined several national stalwarts"
""For the sake of one family, Congress sidelined several national stalwarts. Congress humiliated Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. They did not give anything to Baba Sahab. Bharat ratna was reserved for one family in Congress rule. It was Atal ji who gave Bharat Ratna to him," PM Modi said.
"Go to any part of India, things are named after one family. Congress did not make anything for Baba Sahab. They never heard of Dalits and did not make a single statue of Baba Sahab.
We celebrated Baba Sahab's anniversary, the man who brought deewali for dalits," he added.
It is in the nature of Congress to insult very senior leaders. How can we forget the proud son of this land, Nijalingappa Ji? Why did one family insult him? Nijalingappa committed one big crime - he criticised some of the policies of (Jawarharlal Nehru). Because one family cannot tolerate independent leaders emerging in the party
"Look at the Congress- leaders, they do not know, whom they should remember and celebrate. They are at the forefront of celebrating Jayantis of Sultans," says PM Modi.
PM Modi addresses public meeting in Chitradurga- I am humbled by the response of the people of Chitradurga
- This is the land of scientists. Chitradurga will soon become the hotspot of science and technology. It is a matter of pride that the mission Chandrayan 2 is taking place on this soil by ISRO unit of Chitradurga
- Farmers here have created history. This land is prone to drought but the farmers here have been innovating and turning adversities into opportunities.
- Congress has played with the emotion of the people of Chitradurga because of vote bank politics.
- This land of Chitradurga is synonymous with the Mantra of - Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan and Jai Vigyaan. This land is prone to drought but the farmers here have been innovating and turning adversities into opportunities
The Election Commission-appointed surveillance teams have seized suspect cash, jewellery and other inducements worth over Rs 120 crore in the poll-bound state yesterday. Cash amounting to over Rs 67.27 crore, over five lakh litres of liquor worth Rs 23.36 crore, gold valued at 43.17 crore and other items such as pressure cookers, sarees, sewing machines, gutkha, laptops and vehicles, among others, worth about Rs 18.57 crore, was seized, reported news agency ANI.
Prime Minister will visit Karnataka's Chitradurga, Raichur, JamaKhandi and Hubli area today.
BJP President Amit Shah will hold a rally in Saungati yelamma Constituency at 11:30 am.
Yesterday, PM Modi amped up his criticism against the Congress, predicting the return of the BJP to Karnataka and squeeze Rahul Gandhi's party to just two states. "When the results for the Karnataka elections are out on May 15, then it will not be an Indian National Congress. It will become PPP Congress," PM Modi, who doesn't lose an opportunity to coin acronyms to make his point, said.
PM Modi addressed four elections rallies in Karnataka yesterday.