World respects Bengaluru for its cosmopolitan outlook: Rahul Gandhi

BENGALURU:All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday was all praise for the information technology (IT) capital of India. Addressing a mega public rally organised to mark the conclusion of ‘Janasheervada Yatra’ at the Palace Grounds, Rahul said, “The reason why the world respects Bengaluru is because of the way you work, you live, your tolerance, its cosmopolitan outlook and the spirit of the people here who welcome people from all over the country with open arms.”

He gave credit to successive Congress governments at the Centre and the state for what Bengaluru has achieved today. Listing out the public sector enterprises and research organisations — HAL, BHEL, BEL, ITI, IIM, IISc, ISRO and NAL — Rahul said the foundation for today’s Bengaluru was laid 70-80 years ago.

Rahul termed the current poll battle in the state to clash between two ideologies. While Congress believes in the principles of Basavanna with “Nudidhante Nade” (practice what you preach) and the spirit of universal brotherhood, the BJP represents divisive, hate-mongering idelology,” he alleged.“We understand what you need, we understand what you are. We will do everything to make Bengaluru and Karnataka proud. Bengaluru is India’s strength. We understand the importance of this city to the world. We will support you,” he assured.

Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he questioned his credibility to speak about corruption with BS Yeddyurappa, who was jailed on corruption charge, as BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate. He accused Modi of reworking the Rafale fighter jet purchase deal with France to help an industrialist friend. “Modi’s new deal would snatch the project from Bengaluru-based HAL and hand it over to a private company to manufacture the planes. It means snatching thousands of jobs of Bengalureans to help the industrialist friend of Modi,” Rahul said.