Udupi, May 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held the Congress government in Karnataka responsible for "political violence that led to the death of several BJP cadres" in the state.

"It is extremely shameful that the Congress government allowed violence in the state and several BJP workers were murdered. The Congress must provide an answer to the rising crime," Modi told a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rally at M.G.M. College Grounds in this coastal district city.

Through his 40-minute speech in Hindi, the Prime Minister addressed hundreds of people, including party cadres, gathered on a sunny afternoon.

This was Modi's second rally after the one in Chamarajanagar district earlier in the day, kick-starting BJP's poll campaign for the May 12 Assembly elections.

The opposition BJP has been holding the Congress responsible for the murders of party workers in the state's coastal region in the last five years.

"While on the one hand, the BJP is talking about the 'ease of doing business' in our country, the Congress believes in 'ease of doing murder'. This is the kind of culture they have developed," Modi said.

Accusing the government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of allowing the "sand mafia" to operate in the state, Modi appealed to the people to vote for change and development.

"Those who loot cannot remain in power and must be ousted," Modi said, adding that the Congress had promoted intolerance and violence.

"When the state's Lokayukta is not safe, how can the common man be?"

Karnataka's anti-graft ombudsman Justice P. Vishwanatha Shetty was stabbed at his office by a man in the state capital on March 7. Shetty returned to work a few days ago.

Hailing the Udupi district's residents for starting for several national banks, Modi said that his government had been working towards making these banks accessible to the poorest of the poor.

Canara Bank, Syndicate Bank, Corporation Bank, and Vijaya Bank are some of the oldest banks in the country that were set up in what are now the Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.

Over 31 crore bank accounts for the poor have been opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Modi said.

Modi will address another party rally at Chikodi in Belagavi district.

The BJP is contesting all 224 Assembly seats to return to power. 

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Berlin (AP): Harry Kane was substituted in at the hour mark and still had enough time to score a hat trick on Saturday.

The England captain took his goal tally for Bayern Munich this season to 28 and the defending champions extended their lead to 11 points after thrashing Stuttgart 5-0 on the road.

Second-placed Leipzig later hosted Eintracht Frankfurt.

With Kane on the bench, Konrad Laimer took on the scoring duties and produced a superb finish. The Austria midfielder collected a long ball and combined with Michael Olise before slotting home from close range with a subtle backheel past goalkeeper Alexander Nübel in the 11th minute.

Kane made it 2-0 with a low shot into the bottom corner and Josip Stanišic added his name to the scoresheet. Kane added further luster to the win from the penalty spot after Stuttgart was reduced to 10 men for Lorenz Assignon using his arm to clear a ball in the 81st.

Kane completed the rout with a flick from an Olise cross with two minutes left. He has found the net five more times with England this season, taking his total to 33 goals for club and country.

Stuttgart had chances before halftime but lacked a cutting edge. Midfielder Nikolas Nartey thought he equalized only for his goal to be ruled out for offside after a VAR check.

Bayern Munich is unbeaten in 16 league and cup games against German opposition this season.

 

Other results

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Bayer Leverkusen suffered a fourth loss, 2-0 at Augsburg.

Defender Dimitrios Giannoulis put the host in front after six minutes then turned provider to set up forward Anton Kade. Leverkusen, which hit the woodwork, remained in fourth place, 14 points behind Bayern.

Wolfsburg scored from all of its shots on target and moved four points clear of the relegation zone after beating Union Berlin 3-1. Heidenheim defeated Freiburg 2-1. Cologne and St. Pauli drew 1-1.