"Congress dynastic family runs government for its own benefit"

Continuing his blistering attack against the Congress and its dynastic rule, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a fervent plea to the electorate to oust it from Karnataka on May 12 by voting in favour of the BJP.

Addressing a largely attended election meeting here on Tuesday, Mr. Modi said: “The BJP has adopted the policy of patriotism, spreading love and taking up social service with the slogan, Sabka ka saath, Sabka vikas, but there is a party (Congress) that has ruled the country for nearly 60 years pursuing its dynastic rule policy. This dynastic family has the Constitution for its own benefit; it runs governments or destabilises them for the sake of its own. It will also go to any extent to come to power, even by dividing caste, creed and religion and also families.” He sought to know from the audience, “Whether such a party should continue in power,” and the latter echoed with a thunderous “No”.

He also took a dig at the Congress government for not giving thrust to making use of natural, cultural and historical resources in the State and give a boost to tourism. “The BJP government at the Centre has formulated a ₹ 5,000-crore plan to develop these culturally and historically important destinations, and also the and pilgrim centres, in the country besides improving road, rail and air network to enable people to visit these places,” he said. Koppal, which has many religious, cultural and historical property and also Anegundi and Hampi, the erstwhile seat of the Vijayanagar empire, would also be greatly benefited by the new scheme, he added.

Commending the State BJP unit and party leader B.S. Yeddyurappa for laying emphasis on women empowerment (by giving ₹ 2 lakh loan at 1 % interest), tourism development, irrigation and also farmers welfare, among other things, Mr. Modi criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other Congress leaders for not according priority to irrigation that would have greatly benefited the farmers in the region.

"Congress mired in corruption"

“The Congress is mired in corruption. It has no time to think of the welfare of the people. The Chief Minister [Siddaramaiah], who is the most egoistic, does not know anything and is not keen on learning from others, especially on conservation of water, as had been done in Maharashtra, which is unfortunate,” he bemoaned.

Mr. Modi said that his government had accorded top priority to providing sprinkler irrigation cover to parched land, one-and-a-half times of the minimum support price announced for agricultural produce, crop insurance, among other things, which, according to him, the Congress had failed to do and appealed to the people to vote for the BJP to give a pro-farmer government.