PM launches scathing attack on Cong govt in Karnataka, says it's engaged in "loot"
Kalaburagi, Mar 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Congress government in Karnataka alleging deterioration of law and order situation, and accused it of indulging in "loot", when the people are in trouble.
Formally launching the party's Lok Sabha election campaign in the State here in the home turf of Congress President M Mallikarujn Kharge, he claimed that the people of Karnataka have decided to make BJP victorious in the state.
"The anger that you have towards Congress in Karnataka, I can understand. Congress is a party that despite changing their costume number of times, their misdeeds don't change. That's the reason people of Karnataka are awake and are angry towards it," Modi said.
According to political analysts, Karnataka is very important for the BJP in south India as it's only here that it had held power in the past. BJP bagged 25 seats out of the total 28 in the state in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. An independent backed by the party had also won.
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Addressing a mega public rally here, Modi said people of Karnataka are disenchanted with the Congress government in Karnataka within a short span of time. "This shows that people are aware of Congress' truth. Congress is not ready to improve despite getting several chances."
Alleging that the law and order situation in Karnataka has deteriorated, the PM said that anti-social elements are getting protection openly and fear is being instilled into the minds of the people. "When people are worried, Congress is busy with loot," he said.
Corruption cannot be separated from the Congress, Modi said and added, "For these parivarwadis (dyansts), corruption is their oxygen, without corruption these people cannot even breathe in politics."
Making big promises ahead of elections and filling their pockets after polls is the Congress' job, Modi alleged and charged the Congress with making Karnataka "family ATM".
To meet the "expenses of the party and the family, earnings of the people of the state are being supplied", the Prime Minister alleged.
"Wherever public money is used to fill the stomach, pockets and treasury of some people, bad governance, disorder and anarchy spreads there. Instead of fulfilling the promises made ahead of elections, the situation of Karnataka is deteriorating day by day," he said.
BJP Parliamentary Board member B S Yediyurappa, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Bhagwanth Khuba, Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra, and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, and the party's candidate from Gulbarga Lok Sabha seat Umesh Jadhav were present.
Looking at the enthusiasm among the people, it looks like Karnataka has decided to make BJP victorious in a record number of seats, Modi said, adding that Karnataka has decided what the verdict would be even before the announcement of elections.
Stating that he has been in South India for the last two days and before that he was in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, he said that journalists in Srinagar have blogged that after 1988 Srinagar had never seen such a big rally by any political party.
"The scenes and passion I saw in Srinagar, the enthusiasm I saw towards India. I can say with confidence that the country is ready to fulfill its aspirations," he said.
Highlighting his tour in various parts of south India during his campaign for the last two days, the Prime Minister said people are looking at BJP with hope.
"Across south India, people from all sections and fields have given their immense support to BJP. Looking at this huge support that BJP is getting in the south, Congress and INDIA alliance people are saying, one of your (Karnataka) leaders even said it in parliament, our opponents are saying -- it will be BJP this time," he said.
Pointing out that Congress had promised free power ahead of the assembly polls last year, but people got power cut, Modi said that without electricity, farmers are unable to run their pump sets.
Earlier the BJP government was giving Rs 4,000 to farmers in addition to central assistance under the PM Kisan scheme but the Congress government has stopped it, he alleged.
The situation of Congress' "loot" is such that even for small development works, they don't have money, and legislators have been told that there is no money, Modi alleged.
Addressing the crowd he said, "Can a government function like this? Can it do good to people? Can they fulfill promises?"
Congress too is aware that they cannot form the government once again in Karnataka, Modi said.
"So the Congress' only agenda is to loot as much as possible. Will you let them loot," he asked the crowd.
"When the Congress government in the state is looting you, it is important for your voice to be heard in the parliament. To save Karnataka from the loot I have to make a 'Raksha Kavach' in the form of MPs, so that the state is monitored and I get information in Delhi every moment, so that I can stop the loot," Modi said.
Charging Congress with defaming the country, the Prime Minister said, "When we say 'Bharat' is Mother of Democracy, the whole world accepts it, but Congress gets a stomach ache hearing this. Congress is defaming the country, its heritage and traditions."
He also asked the people to give a guarantee to him that BJP will win in every constituency and Congress doesn't open its account in the state.
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India, Ethiopia elevate ties to strategic partnership as PM Modi holds talks with his counterpart
Addis Ababa (PTI): India and Ethiopia on Tuesday elevated their historical ties to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali during which they discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on his maiden bilateral visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace ahead of the bilateral talks, reflecting the vibrant India-Ethiopia relations rooted in shared history and a promising future.
"We are elevating India and Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership. This step will provide new energy, new momentum and new depth to our ties," Prime Minister Modi said during the delegation-level talks.
He thanked PM Ali for his support in India's fight against terrorism. "The support of friendly countries in this struggle against terrorism holds great significance," Modi said.
"Today, we got the opportunity to deliberate on the key aspects of our cooperation, such as economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity-building and multilateral cooperation. I am pleased that today, we have decided to double the student scholarship for Ethiopia in India," Modi said.
Modi said that India and Ethiopia have shared contact, dialogue, and exchange for thousands of years. The two countries, which are rich in languages and traditions, are symbols of unity in diversity, he added.
"Both countries are democratic powers committed to peace and the welfare of humanity. We are co-travellers and partners of the Global South. On international platforms, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
The two sides signed eight MoUs/agreements, including upgrading ties to 'Strategic Partnership', customs cooperation, establishing data center at the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, UN Peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under G20, more ICCR scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Modi said the African Union's headquarters in Ethiopia makes the country a meeting point of African diplomacy. "Inspired by the common vision of an inclusive world, in 2023, India ensured that the African Union became a G20 member," he said.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
Modi said that though this is his first visit, he felt a deep sense of belonging and warmth, reflecting the thousands of years of connection between the two countries.
On his part, Prime Minister Ali said the two countries share over thousands of years of connection through trade, diplomacy, education, culture and even in our food and traditions. "These ties continue to shape a deep friendship, collaboration and mutual respect between our people," he said.
"We also appreciate your consistent message that Africa's priorities must lead the partnership. These kinds of dignified, respectful messages for Africa are very important. Mr Prime Minister, keep pushing. That is the type of message we are expecting from all our trusted friends," Ali said.
He said this aligned fully with Ethiopia's development plan - African-owned, African-led, and African-defined.
"Today, we meet with a clear focus to shape a modern partnership, grounded in sovereignty, self-reliance and practical cooperation. Our cooperation is rooted in equality and South-South solidarity," he said.
"Our economy is performing strongly. Last year, we grew 9.2% and this year we are expecting 10.3% GDP growth. Besides GDP growth, our FDI inflow is also rising big time. India is the leading source for our FDI," he said.
"We have more than 615 Indian companies which are investing in Ethiopia. This all gives our cooperation a strong foundation of trust. I think our decision today that we elevate our historic relationship to a strategic relationship is the right decision," he added.
Ethiopia also conferred its highest award - The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia - on PM Modi. He is the first global head of state to receive this award.
Prime Minister Modi also went to the Friendship Park and Friendship Square in Addis Ababa with PM Ali.
In a warm and special gesture, PM Modi was earlier received by his Ethiopian counterpart at the airport and accorded a warm and colourful welcome.
"Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture," Modi said.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
"At Addis Ababa airport, took part in a traditional Coffee Ceremony with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The ceremony beautifully highlights Ethiopia’s rich heritage," Modi said.
In a unique gesture, the Ethiopian Prime Minister drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
"Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia’s rich traditions," Modi said in a post on X.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
"Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection. India-Ethiopia friendship is going to get even more robust in the times to come," Modi said.
When Modi arrived at the hotel, he was warmly welcomed by the members of the Indian community. Local artists performed dances. Some of them danced on the theme of the popular Hindi song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera' to welcome him.
On Wednesday, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
