Kumaraswamy hits back at Modi, accuses him of using soldiers patriotism for gain
Bengaluru, Apr 12: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using the patriotism of soldiers for his gain, saying he has no development issues to talk about during the campaign.
"Despite clarifying on the false post by @BJP4Karnataka, PM @narendramodi still gets carried away by wrong inputs of state leaders.
The PM is using the patriotism of soldiers for his gain. He rides on such emotional waves because there are no development issues to talk about," Kumaraswamy tweeted.
The Chief Minister was reacting to Modi's comments at a BJP rally in Gangavathi, where he lashed out at Kumaraswamy over his reported remark that only those who cannot manage two square meals a day seek jobs in services, terming it an insult to the armed forces.
"I was seeing in the media yesterday that Karnataka Chief Minister has said that only those people go to army who don't get food two times a day.
What kind of thinking is thisKumaraswamy ji? You cannot escape by saying that your statement has been wrongly interpreted. You have said what is in your heart," Modi said.
"...is it not an insult to our brave soldiers and armed forces...will you seek vote on this?Those who serve the country and ready to sacrifice for it facing all odds...such words for them, such thinking.
Doob maro doob maro (die drowning),those who insult the country's army," the prime minister said.
On Thursday, Karnataka BJP had tweeted the video of Kumaraswamy's speech and said "People who don't have food to eat join Defence: @hd_kumaraswamy Kumaraswamy avare, people join Defence forces due to the love they have for Nation.
Why don't you send your Son to serve in army instead of contesting for MP seat.
You may then know what it needs to be a soldier."
Responding to it, the Chief Minister had termed it as an edited video.
"#BJP is upto their old tricks again. They posted another edited video with false interpretation to malign me.
I had said that not all who join defence forces are rich.
The PM shuld not play with d lives of jawans to get votes. I never said tat jawans are in the army just for livelihood," he had tweeted on Thursday.
Kumaraswamy's tweet Friday, reacting to the Prime Minister's criticism, contained a lengthy video of his speech than the one tweeted by the BJP.
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Adani Group emerges lowest bidder for Bengaluru’s 16.75-km tunnel road project
Bengaluru: The Adani Group has become the lowest bidder for both packages of the proposed 16.75-km tunnel road project in Bengaluru, according to sources familiar with the bids opened by Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE).
According to a report published by Deccan Herald on Monday, the government estimated the entire project to cost Rs 17,698 crore, while the Adani Group has quoted Rs 22,267 crore. The ports-to-power conglomerate’s bid is about 24% higher for the first package and 28% higher for the second than the government’s estimates, a gap that could prompt authorities to seek the state Cabinet’s approval on the tenders’ fate.
M Maheshwar Rao, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), who is also the Managing Director of B-SMILE, declined to comment.
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In all, four infrastructure companies had participated in the tenders for the project, which has been proposed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, with 40% funding from the government and the remaining investment to be raised by the private concessionaire.
During the technical evaluation, the Adani Group and the Hyderabad-based Vishwa Samudra Engineering Ltd qualified for the financial round.
According to the report, Dilip Buildcon was disqualified due to a clause that bars firms linked to collapsed bridges or tunnels, while Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) was rejected because its joint venture (JV) partner did not meet technical requirements.
With only two companies left in the fray, the Adani Group emerged as the lowest bidder, ahead of Vishwa Samudra.
The tunnel project officially named the North–South underground corridor, is part of the Congress government’s ambitious to ease Bengaluru’s traffic congestion by building two major underground roads (totalling 40 km) along with 13 flyovers and elevated corridors.
The project is the brainchild of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru development minister.
The proposal, however, has faced criticism and political opposition, especially from senior BJP leaders, who object to the alignment that requires acquiring six acres of Lalbagh Botanical Garden, a historic green space.
As per the report, Urban mobility experts have also warned that the tunnel corridor may clash with the alignment of Namma Metro’s Phase 3A, possibly affecting the metro expansion.
