Dharwad: Criticising AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge’s recent statement against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah questioned whether a political party that makes such comparisons should be allowed to win in the forthcoming election.
He was speaking at an election rally on Friday.
"Modiji Ji is respected in the world. But Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Ji calls him a ‘Poisonous snake.’ I want to ask can we allow Congress which makes such comparisons be allowed to win in the election?" he questioned.
Shah reminded the audience of the various derogatory names that Congress leaders have called Modi, such as “Poisonous snake” by Kharge, “Mauth Ka Saudhagar” by Sonia Gandhi, and "Modi teri Kabar Khudegi," by Congress party. He stated that the Congress leaders cannot mislead the people of Karnataka and added that attacking Modi would only increase the support to BJP.
"It is important for the leaders to understand that no matter how much they attack, the lotus (BJP's symbol) will continue to shine brightly. They cannot deceive the people of Karnataka. Every time Modi ji is attacked, his support among the people increases," he said.
Shah defined the upcoming election as decisive, as it will determine the future of the poor, Adivasis, Dalits, and farmers.
"The Congress, led by Rahul Baba, is on one side, and the BJP, led by Modi Ji, is on the other. The election would determine whether there should be a five-year double-engine government under Modi Ji that would take the state forward or a Congress government in reverse gear that would take Karnataka backward," he said.
The Home Minister also reminded the people about the separate agriculture budget started by BS Yediyurappa and questioned the failure of Congress in solving the Mahadayi issue despite being in power in Karnataka, Goa, and the Center.
He lauded Modi's efforts in solving the problem, which brought a smile to the farmers of North Karnataka.
Shah highlighted that in Navalgund, farmers were subjected to police brutality during Congress' rule. Hence, when Congress leaders ask for votes here, farmers should question them.
"When Modi Ji became Prime Minister, Karnataka was under Congress rule. The Central government asked Karnataka to provide a list of farmers to be covered under the Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, and the state sent a list of 17 lakh names. However, when Yediyurappa Ji took charge as Chief Minister and a farmers' leader, he sent a list of 54 lakh names. Now, the farmers in Navalgund, where Congress had laticharged them, should question Congress leaders who come to ask for their vote. Today, farmers under this scheme receive Rs 10,000 every year," he said.
