Accusing Prime MinisterNarendraModiof repeating lies for political purposes, KarnatakaChiefMinisterSiddaramaiahon Tuesday challenged him to take part in an open debate with him on the issues of crime, and the law and order situation in Karnatakacompared to the BJP-ruled states.
Responding to Modi's allegations that the law and order in the state under Congressrule had collapsed, Siddaramaiahtweeted: "Crime is not increasing in Karnatakaabnormally. PM repeats the lie of increasing crime rate for political purposes.
"I challenge him for an open debate on a single platform on crime and law and order situation in Karnatakaviz-a-viz BJP-ruled states."
The Prime Minister, addressing a Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) rally in the coastal district of Udupion Tuesday, held the Congressgovernment responsible for the alleged murders of Bjp Partyworkers in the state.
"It is extremely shameful that the Congressgovernment has allowed violence in the state and several Bjp Partyworkers were murdered. The Congressmust provide an answer to these rising crimes," he said.
The state police, however, earlier said the killings of a few people were "neither communal nor political".
Siddaramaiahalso hit out at Modi for his remarks that the KarnatakaChiefMinisterwas contesting from two constituencies and changing his seat, fearing defeat.
"Was it fear that drove you to contest from two parliamentary constituencies (Varanasiin Uttar Pradeshand Vadodarain Gujarat) Mr. PM NarendraModi Of course you are a 56-inch man, you would have some clever explanation," Siddaramaiahwrote.
Modi had contested from both Varanasiand Vadodarain the 2014 Lok Sabhaelections.
"Forget two seats, Sir. Worry about the fact that your party (BJP) will not cross 60-70 (seats in the upcoming election)," Siddaramaiahadded in his tweet.
The CongressLeaderalso took a jibe at Modi's comments that the party was allowing kith and kin to contest the elections.
"For the ChiefMinister(Siddaramaiah) the rule is '2+1', where he will contest from two seats and has given his old seat (Varuna in Mysurudistrict) to his son (Yathindra) and for the other ministers (in the state cabinet), the rule seems to be '1+1', allowing their relatives to fight polls," Modi said at a rally in the southern state.
Siddaramaiahhas filed nominations for the May 12 election from Chamundeshwari in Mysurudistrict and Badami in Bagalkotdistrict, while his son Yathindrais contesting from Varuna in Mysurudistrict.
Though Siddaramaiahhad won from Varuna twice since the 2008 Assembly elections, he shifted to Chamundeshwari, making way for his son Yathindrato contest from his home constituency.
Reacting to the allegations, Siddaramaiahtweeted: "Today PM avoided talking about his complicity in closing CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) cases against the Reddy brothers. Instead he spoke about some '2+1' formula. Here is the explanation to his formula to win election: 2 Reddys + 1 Yeddy (referring to party's Chiefministerial candidate B.S. Yeddyurappa)."
The KarnatakaChiefMinister, along with his tweets posted a picture of the Scam-tainted Mining Baronfrom Ballari district G. Janardhana Reddy, his brother G. Karunakara Reddywho will be contesting from Harpanahallli in the same district, along with Yeddyurappa.
Janardhana Reddy, who was the state Tourism and Infrastructure Ministerbetween 2008-11 when Yeddyurappa was the ChiefMinister, was arrested and jailed for about two years after the state's anti-graft watchdog (Lokayukta) named him in the Multi-crore Iron Ore Mining Scamthat rocked Karnatakaand Andhra Pradeshfor about a decade (2001-10).
Yeddyurappa, too, was forced to step down from the ChiefMinister's post over his alleged involvement in a land scam.
The BJP is contesting from all the 224 assembly segments in the state in a bid to return to power after it lost to the Congressin the May 2013 elections.
--IANS
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