Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Updated
Modi also said the Congress govt was engaged in 'ease of doing murders'
Bengaluru, Feb 4: Chants of 'Modi, Modi' resonated at Palace Grounds here on Sunday February 4 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed thousands of BJP workers who assembled to witness the grand conclusion of BJP's Parivarthan Yatra.
The 'Parivarthan Yatra' was launched by BJP President Amit Shah on November 2 last year. According to party leaders, the "Yatra' has traversed over 15,000 km during its journey, aimed at "exposing misdeeds" of the Siddaramaiah government.
Much to the delight of the crowd, PM Modi began his address in Kannada before switching to Hindi.
"I have visited Karnataka earlier too, but I have never seen such a sight. The large crowd, the saffron flags waving everywhere, all this show that countdown has begun for Congress to leave Karnataka. Congress is at the exit gate.
"We will develop the Metro, roads, railway system if we come to power in the state. Even after so many years of Independence, there are 7 lac homes in Karnataka and 4 crore homes in the country that still do not have electricity and are still living in the 18th century.
"We will realise the dream of Congress-free Karnataka. The people of Karnataka have been watching how the Congress government and its chief minister have worked only for their personal benefits and not for the welfare of the people. That is the reason why central government funds released for the state have not been utilised. The party has caused destruction and Karnataka doesn't need a Congress culture anymore.
"In this year's budget, we announced Rs 17,000 crore for the construction of suburban railway in Bengaluru which will benefit 15 lac commuters in the city. When UPA was in power, it was able to develop only 950 km of national highway in Karnataka, but during our reign over the last four years, we developed 1,600 km of national highway in this state. The government has set a goal to build more than 9,000 km long national highway across the nation this year. Under Bharatmala Pariyojana, 35,000 km of roads will be constructed with an investment of Rs 5,25,000. UPA built only 33 km of railway line in Karnataka, whereas we have already built 200 km of railway line here," he said.
"Under PM Jan Dhan Yojana, more than 1.16 crore accounts have been opened in Karnataka, opening the doors of banking for the poor and the lower middle class. We have also given 1.85 crore of LPG connections and built 34 lac toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission.
"We want to see a day when a person wearing 'hawai chappals' (slippers) is able to travel in 'hawai jahaz' (aeroplane). Perform, reform, transform is the mantra that our government follows," he added.
Speaking on issues concerning farmers, PM Modi said, "Yeddyurappa is the son of a farmer and if he becomes the CM of Karnataka again, projects for farmers will be implemented well as he has the farmer's interest at heart. In this budget, our government has made a significant decision so that correct price of crops are given to farmers. During the UPA regime, Karnataka got Rs 73,000 crore, but we have released Rs 2 lac crore for the state, which is more than 180% more.
"Farmers producing fruits and vegetables are our 'TOP' priority. 'TOP' means 'tomato, onion and potato'. We have launched 'Operation green' in the interest of these farmers. 'Operation green' would be beneficial for farmers just like the Amul model was successful in dairy," he added.
Referring to a spate of killings of workers of BJP and the Sangh Parivar, he said a number of workers associated with BJP and its affiliated organisations have been killed. "It is an assault on the social fabric. I appeal to the people of Karnataka to vote against the government which attacks the social fabric of the state. I am seeing that Karnataka has decided to free the state from Congress. To free from Congress' culture, from society, from public life, from politics."
Targetting the Congress, he said, "Congress government is supporting criminals. Day by day murders are happening here. In the whole world there is discussion about ease of doing business and there are efforts in that direction. Our government is making efforts for the ease of doing business and talking about ease of living. But with the Congress government in Karnataka, here there are discussions regarding ease of doing murders. It has become dangerous even to speak against the state government, as one may end up paying with one's life for doing so. This is dangerous for democracy and a matter of shame for the state government.
Charging the state with setting new records in corruption, Modi said Congress-free government means freedom from a dynastic rule, nepotism, corruption and loot. He also referred to the IT raids at the residences of two state ministers and that a raid on a senior Congress leader revealed Benami property and said, "there are 'Steel Mafia', sand mafia and transfer mafia' in the state."
"Many prominent people hatched a conspiracy to pocket crores of rupees in the name of Hebbal steel bridge project, but thanks to the public outrage and the BJP's protest, the state government was forced to withdraw the project.
"There are serious allegations of corruption against Congress leaders. Reports are coming about them demanding commission in several projects. I have been told that Karnataka govt is being recognised as '10% government' as no work is possible without 10% commission," he said.
He also lauded former cricketer Rahul Dravid, coach of the Under-19 India team which has won the World Cup, saying that such discipline and hardwork is the culture of Karnataka.
PM Modi then went on to list out a number of central projects and schemes for the poor.
"BJP government stands for development, whereas Congress for corruption," he said.
He also spoke about the contentious triple Talaq bill and said that while his government is striving to provide justice to Muslim women, the Congress is playing vote bank politics by trying to stall the bill.
He ended the speech in Kannada, saying that he was confident that the people of Karnataka would elect the BJP to power in the state.
To the disppointment of Mahadayi activists, the Prime Minister made no comment on the issue despite protests prior to the rally demanding a statement from the PM. Chief minister Siddaramaiah too had urged the PM to speak on it.
Union minister Anant Kumar delivered the welcome address, wherein he called the previous UPA govt 'Ulta-Pulta Alliance'.
BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa also spoke. The party leaders felicitated the PM.