Karnataka Elections LIVE: Modi to Start Campaign Blitz Today, Siddaramaiah Tweets Sarcastic Welcome

"You first make scam tainted @BSYBJP your party's CM face in Karnataka. Then media reports that you don't want to be seen sharing the stage with him at rallies! Karnataka wants to know if Yeddyurappa is still your CM candidate?" Siddaramaiah wrote in another tweet. Raising issues like tickets being given to "rape" accused and “MLAs who watched porn in the Assembly", the chief minister also hit out at Modi over promises that were not kept.

In a series of tweets, CM Siddaramaiah assailed the prime minister over BJP giving tickets to "tainted" mining baron G Janardhana Reddy's brothers and associates and declaring Yeddyurappa as the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate. "Would G Janardhana Reddy be joining your rallies here? You have given his family & friends 8 tickets, hoping it will help BJP in 10-15 seats.  And then, you lecture us on corruption. Please end this hypocrisy. Kannadigas aren't wearing Kamala (lotus, the BJP's election symbol) on their ears," Siddaramaiah wrote.

On the eve of PM Narendra Modi's visit, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah posed questions to Modi on Twitter while welcoming him to the state. "Dear @narendramodi, Heard you are visiting Namma Karnataka tomorrow. We welcome you to our state. While you are here, we Kannadigas would like you to address the following concerns. Please #AnswerMaadiModi," Siddaramaiah tweeted.

Dear @narendramodi ಅವರೇ,

Heard you are visiting Namma Karnataka tomorrow. We welcome you to our state.

While you are here, we Kannadigas would like you to address the following concerns.

ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು #AnswerMaadiModi ಅವರೇ

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 30, 2018

With just 10 days left for campaigning to conclude in poll-bound Karnataka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch his campaign blitzkrieg in the state today to add heft to the BJP's efforts to unseat the Congress from power and form its government in the southern state for a second time. Modi, who last visited Karnataka for campaigning in February, will be addressing rallies at Santhemarahalli in Chamarajanagara district, and Udupi and Chikkodi in Belagavi. Ahead of his Udupi rally, Modi is scheduled to visit Krishna Mutt and meet the senior seer there. At least a dozen rallies are expected to follow in the coming days. Polling for the 224-member Karnataka Assembly will be held on May 12, and results will be declared on May 15.

BJP leader S M Krishna supporters campaign for Congress in SMK hometown of Maddur in Mandya district. Krishna won from Maddur many times since 1962. SMK's man friday Sathyananda leads Congress campaign. They are rooting for Congress candidate Madhu Madegowda.

Linking toilet construction to provision of Food under PDS!! Shows how little BJP understands Hunger. Hope Karnataka BJP doesn’t include linking Anna Bhagya to toilet construction in its manifesto.

That is if they ever release a manifesto. https://t.co/GLbeAHYE65

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 29, 2018

This #KarnatakaElection2018 the mission is to defeat anti-Development & communal BJP & opportunist JDS, who are working together. This election is also about protecting our Constitution from BJP whose declared intention it is to change the Constitution. #CongressMathomme

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 29, 2018

This Election is also about broken promised of the @narendramodi Govt.
1 Black money didn’t become white.
2 People didn’t get Rs 15 lakh in their accounts.
3 People’s money lost value due to demonetisation. They were made to stand in line to get their own money.

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 29, 2018

4 Unemployed are asked to sell Pakodas
5 International crude oil prices have fallen drastically but petrol/diesel prices keep increasing.
6 Corruption free Govt was promised, but Banks are being looted.

We are fighting election on these issues. #CongressMathomme

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 29, 2018

We are also fighting this Election for your mandate to continue our good work in the last 5 years. We have made Karnataka No1 in many sectors. We will now make Karnataka No1 in all major sectors.

We will specially focus on sustainable Jobs & infrastructure.#CongressMathomme

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 29, 2018

After the Congress's manifesto was released, BJP attacked the party for its schemes and pointed out at certain errors in a series of tweets.

.@siddaramaiah govt weakened Lokayukta by taking away its powers & now the Congress manifesto promises to strengthen Lokayukta! First, strip away all the powers of Karnataka Lokayukta then for public posturing - talk about restoring its glory. What a shame!#CongManifestoScam

— B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) April 28, 2018

One aspect of Cong manifesto that stands out from the rest is lack of a plan to prevent farmers suicide and agricultural distress. It has no concrete proposals for addressing Karnataka’s biggest problem. Shame

Under Siddu, 3800+ farmers have committed suicide#CongManifestoScam

— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) April 28, 2018

Karnataka's GDP is little over $200 bn, IT revenues ~ $60bn. If IT revenues were to soar to $300bn in 5 years (if that's what they mean), it will be nearly 400% increase!!

What POT was Congress high on when they came up with this number! #CongManifestoScam pic.twitter.com/CnhWA6s3SR

— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) April 28, 2018

ಓಂ ಶ್ರೀ ಗುರು ಬಸವ ಲಿಂಗಾಯ ನಮಃ... ಕೃಷ್ಣಾ ಹಾಗೂ ಮಲಪ್ರಭಾ ನದಿಗಳ ಸಂಗಮ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ, ತಪೋಭೂಮಿ, ಬಸವಣ್ಣ ಪಾದವಿಟ್ಟ ಪುಣ್ಯ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ, ಐಕ್ಯ ಸ್ಥಳ ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಮಕ್ಕೆ ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಿದ್ದು ಮನಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ನೆಮ್ಮದಿ ನೀಡಿತು. ಶರಣು ಶರಣಾರ್ಥಿ pic.twitter.com/p8IxM06KuB

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 28, 2018

When asked about Siddaramaiah's decision to contest from two seats, Pitroda said, "You should ask him or ask the party. I have no idea. I am not qualified to answer that." JD(S) state chief H D Kumaraswamy was also asked about Siddaramaiah's statement about him meeting BJP president Amit Shah. Replying to the question, Kumaraswamy said, "I never met Amit Shah. CM Siddaramaiah is lying. He' talking nonsense. Why I should I meet Amit Shah?"

Size of biotech industry of the entire country is around $11.6 bn as on today. Is it possible for Karnataka’s biotech industry alone to contribute USD 50 bn in just 5 years?

Don't call this a "People's Manifesto", Mr. RG! Only scamsters like you can do this!#CongManifestoScam

— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) April 28, 2018

While releasing manifesto, Congress leader Sam Pitroda said, "Lies sell very well during elections. Social media amplifies lies. People hide behind cyber walls so you don't know who they are. So, important for all of us to reach out to people through personal contacts, open communication and meetings like this."

#Visuals: BJP President Amit Shah visits Basaveshwar Aikya Sthala at Kundalasangama. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/4rlYvl4lq5

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2018

He said his party would give an account of every Rupee spent when its five year tenure ends and the Lok Sabha elections are held in 2019.

JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda says he will start campaigning from Monday, and will cover nearly four Assembly seats every day. BSP chief Mayawati, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and AIMIM leader Owaisi will also campaign for the party, he said.

Meanwhile BJP chief Amit Shah will also visit various places in Karnataka today. Shah will begin his tour with Basaveshwara Aikya Sthala in Sangama, which belongs to the Lingayat community -- a traditional vote base of the saffron party.

Schedule of BJP National President Shri @AmitShah's public programs today in Karnataka. Watch at https://t.co/vpP0MInUi4 pic.twitter.com/JTBkd1PolX

— BJP (@BJP4India) April 28, 2018

Sharing the link to Cfore CEO's Facebook profile, CM Siddaramaiah tweeted that hung assembly theories are 'non-sense', which have been floated by vested interests and 'self styled king-makers'. Cfore CEO has posted on Facebook that Congress will bag over 120 seats, followed by BJP with almost 70 seats and JDS with 30 seats.

I am confident Karnataka like in 2013 will vote decisively. Hung assembly theories are a lot of non-sense floated by vested interests & self styled king-makers.

Here is an interview by Prem Palety who predicted the 2008 & 2013 outcomes accurately.https://t.co/OkMcGse5vo

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 28, 2018

Final tally of candidates 

No. of nominations - 3509 
No. of papers rejected - 271 
No. of nominations withdrawn - 583 
No. of total candidstes left in fray -2655 

BJP - 224 candidates (all constituencies)

Cong - 222 candidates (one they are supporting Darshan.puttanaiah; ;one nomination was rejected as candidate caste certificate was disqualified) 

JDS - 201 + 18 BSP - 219 candidates 

Other parties - 800 

Independents - 1155 

Total number of male candidates this election - 2436 
Total women candidates in this election - 219

CM Siddaramaiah will start his 10 days tour of Karnataka from today. A day earlier, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had claimed that the Siddaramaiah government had fulfilled 95 per cent of the promises made in the manifesto released ahead of the 2013 polls after coming to power. 

"We will expose all the lies of the Congress manifesto. The 6.5 crore people of Karnataka will show all that they want a Congress-mukt state. Congress equals vinash (destruction) and BJP means vikas (development). Our leaders have gone to all 224 constituencies and taken suggestions from about 12 lakh people. We will put out our manifesto soon. The massacre of 24 BJP activists is a start, the reality of farmer suicides is a reality. The state is being looted by sand mafia. We are only putting forth the truth in front of the people," said Ananth Kumar. 

Senior BJP leader Ananth Kumar has come out all guns blazing against the Congress manifesto. "Scriptwriter of the Congress manifesto, Veerappa Moily, is the emperor of lies. This manifesto is totally blank and wants to take the people of Karnataka on a ride. The director of this manifesto, Rahul Gandhi, is visionless and the people will show him that. All major indicators — crime, corruption etc. — are increasing and it is because of the Siddaramaiah government's misrule. They had promised 230 things in the last manifesto, not even half as been completed."

Karnataka BJP has lashed out against the Congress manifesto and claims made by CM Siddaramaiah, party president Rahul Gandhi. "Siddu says they've fulfilled all promises made in 2013. While RG says 90% of them are fulfilled. Apart from being inconsistent amongst themselves, both statements are outright lies We are running a thread on how Cong has not delivered," tweeted BJP Karnataka: 

Siddu says they've fulfilled all promises made in 2013. While RG says 90% of them are fulfilled. Apart from being inconsistent amongst themselves, both statements are outright lies

We are running a thread on how Cong has NOT DELIVERED AS PROMISED.
Read: https://t.co/YW3tnX81zC

— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) April 27, 2018

Actor Prakash Raj has tweeted a video of a BJP leader's wife asking for votes. "Look at a BJP candidates wife begging for votes on the basis of a religion in Mangalore south/Karnataka... shame on ur communal politics. Is this your Sabki Saath Sabka Vikas," wrote Raj:

Look at a BJP candidates wife begging for votes on the basis of a religion in mangalore south /karnataka ... shame on ur communal politics. Is this your “Sabki saath sabka Vikas “...#justasking pic.twitter.com/lHDbTa57O6

— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) April 27, 2018

The Congress' manifesto is promising that all college-going students between the ages of 18 and 23 will be given a free smartphone.

The Congress' manifesto claims that if the party comes to power, it will double the income of the farmers. It also says that the Cauvery Phase V will be expedited to augment drinking water supply in Bengaluru City, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagaram and other areas falling under Cauvery basin by planning and implementing projects to utilise the 75 TMC. There will also be a 'startup subsidy' of up to Rs 1 crore, so that the company can kick-start production. The subsidy would have a grant component of up to Rs 25 lakh and soft loans of about 75 lakhs @6% interest.

"We will raise women employment by 50 percent. There will be subsidy on cost of women's vehicles. We will support 1000 women entrepreneurs every year. Our opponents don't respect the culture of Karnataka. PM Modi committed 15 lakh to every citizen. He promised a corruption-free government but delivered nothing. He does not deliver on what he said. Every state looks at Karnataka, it is a competitor to Silicon Valley," says Rahul Gandhi.

"This manifesto contains the Mann ki Baat of Karnataka people. What ever we are saying in the manifesto will be done. We have achieved 95% of the goals from our previous manifesto. You will see that the BJP manifesto will be decided by 3-4 people. Corruption will be hidden in the manifesto, ideas of the Reddy brothers will be in that manifesto. The BJP's manifesto will be the manifesto of the RSS," says Rahul Gandhi.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi is in Mangaluru to release the party's manifesto. "This is a manifesto made by going to every single block, district and community in the state. We went to the people of the state, asked them what they wanted and put it in our manifesto. I believe in the philosophy of Karnataka and that is what the Congress wants to bring to the state," he said.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah has attacked has hit out against BJP's CM candidate BS Yeddyurappa 'pardoning' the scam-tainted G Janaradhana Reddy from Bellary in the "interest of the state". The CM tweeted saying, "Very interesting! BS Yeddyurappa has pardoned Reddy in interest of state. Which interest of Karnataka is served by pardoning someone who looted thousands of crores of Kannadigas’ wealth? Is it upto you to pardon him? Did you ask PM Modi to direct CBI to formalise the ‘pardon’?":

Very interesting! @BSYBJP has pardoned Reddy in interest of state

1 Which interest of Karnataka is served by pardoning someone who looted thousands of crores of Kannadigas’ wealth?

2 Is it upto you to pardon him?

3 Did you ask PM Modi to direct CBI to formalise the ‘pardon’? pic.twitter.com/50D759dNRr

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 27, 2018

"I am saddened to hear about the death of the children in UP's Kushinagar. The students were killed when their school van was hit by a train at a railway crossing. The government of India and Railways Ministry will investigate the matter," says PM Modi.

"The problem with Bengaluru is that the government did not consider the future. A short-term, short-sighted view of the government is what caused these problems. From traffic to water-logging, there are enough problems with Bengaluru and we, the central government, are working towards making this global city one that leads India's charge," says PM Modi.