Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Sep 24: Congress leader and former chief minister Dr M Veerappa Moily on Sunday September 24 hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that he was an 'expert only in giving speeches' but 'not a performer', and that his demonetisation move had turned into 'demon-isation' that would 'swallow him up'. He also termed BJP state president's B S Yeddyurappa's hopes of becoming the CM again as a mere 'daydream'.
Addressing a Udupi and Brahmavar block-level Congress convention here, Moily said, "I am overwhelmed by the turnout today. People have accepted the Congress state government wholeheartedly. The Congress is in a strong position, and there are many reasons for this. Chief minister Siddaramaiah's programmes have touched people's hearts. With a few to make Karnataka a hunger-free state, we set up Indira Canteens. The Food Security Act, the MGNREGA employment scheme and Right to Education (RTE) introduced by the erstwhile UPA government are long-sustaining and not short-term programmes. Event though there has been drought in the state for four years, there has not been a single case of death due to starvation."
Taking potshots at BJP state president Yeddyurappa, he said, "Siddaramaiah coming to power in the state signalled the end of Yeddyurappa. The CM has strong evidences against Yeddyurappa, such that he could go to jail and never come out, but the CM is not revealing them as he still has a soft corner for him. Yeddyurappa's hope of becoming the CM again is nothing but a daydream."
Hitting out at PM Modi, he said, "Modi's demonetisation has become demon-isation. This demon is swallowing up Modi. Banks are going under loss. Modi just wants a platform to promote himself. He promised a lot to the people regarding black money and cubing terrorism. But where is the black money? Anti-incumbency cyclone is going to finish Modi.
"If you compare the present central government with the UPA, you will see that UPA performed better. The GDP was 7.5 percent during UPA, but now under NDA it has come down to 5.9 percent. Karntaka's GDP is 8.5 percent - almost double the nation's. Karnataka is a financially stable state. If we support the poor, farmers and other needy, they will bless. But Modi with his focus on capitalists has earned their curse. The tears of the farmers will bring his doom," Moily said.
"The central government has earned a benefit of Rs 5.5 lac crore from petroleum products, but this money is being used on BJP's and Modi's publicity. They are looting the public. Modi is an expert only in giving speeches. He is not a performer, he has no concern for the country and for farmers. The Modi government is surviving only because of Stockholm syndrome (feeling of trust felt by abducted victim towards captor), otherwise it would have disappeared long back," he added.
"After 2014, the country has not seen any new development in industrial or manufacturing sector. It was the UPA that developed mobile technology. Also, it was UPA government that took the initiative to clean rivers. Congress' tenure at the centre was a problem-resolving era. Congress introduced reservations to bring the backward classes to the mainstream, and several programmes to uplift the poor. BJP's allegation against the Congress regarding denotification of 13 ponds is absolutely false. BJP is lying," he said.
He also urged the party workers to work for Congress victory in the next Assembly polls.
AICC secretary P C Vishnunath said, "The 'Mane Manege Congress' campaign has received positive response from the people. Our government has fulfilled 155 promises out of 165 which were in our election manifesto. In preparation for the 2018 elections, 209 booth level committees have been formed by the high command. On October 10 Karkala taluk-level Congress meet will be held.
"Prime Minister Modi had promised to bring down petrol price to Rs 40 per litre but he failed to do so. He also failed to provide the two crore jobs he had promised. He has failed to deliver his promises and lied to the people of India. On the other hand, chief minister Siddaramaiah has walked his talk and delivered his promises made in the manifesto.
"We appeal to the people of the state to compare the achievement of BJP at centre and Congress in the state. Congress has not involved in any corruption in the state. Nearly 11 BJP leaders including the then chief minister (Yeddyurappa) went to jail on various charges. Congress government is clean and stable," he said.
"Karnataka is the land of Basavanna where BJP has no confidence of winning the upcoming elections. BJP’s communal politics will not succeed," added Vishnunath.
Rajya Sabha member Oscar Fernandes said, "Everyone should know about the history of Independence. It is our responsibility to remind the people about our freedom fighters.
"Today the demands of children are different as compared to earlier generations. Mahatma Gandhi never dreamt of becoming the President or Prime Minister of India. In those days, a piece of cloth was enough for people along with other basic needs. They fought for food and not to become rich. India is a more technically qualified country than other nations. The country stands third in terms of development. Former President Abdul Kalam called for all round development of the nation by 2020.
"Congress in Karnataka has completed four years since coming to power. Congress president Sonia Gandhi desires to make India a 'hunger-free nation' but BJP is dreaming of 'Congress-free India'," he quipped.
"There are many technicians working in America who are from Bengaluru. If a person does not know history, it is difficult to understand the contribution of the Congress party. It is time that we pass on the principles and achievements of Congress to the future generation. I will continue to work as a common party worker," said Oscar.
District in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj said, "We have completed 59 Jana Samparka meets out of 65 that were planned. According to the plan, we have conducted 136 booth committee meetings. All booth-level meetings will be completed by December.
"Through these meetings, Congress will add 20,000 party workers and 2,000 volunteers in Udupi before the Assembly elections. Youngsters are showing keen interests in joining the Congress and I am committed to strengthen the party," he added.
KPCC secretary Basavaraju, Udupi block Congress president Sathish Amin Padukere, Brahmavar block Congress president Nityananda Shetty Harady, Former MLA Karkala, Gopal Bhandary, Town Planning development authority president, Narasimha Murthy, CMC president Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje, Janardhan Bhandarkar, Abdul Azeez, M A Gafoor, Dinesh SP, Manjunath and others were present.