Ananth Kumar brands Moily, Nilekani, Kumaraswamy as ‘touring talkies’

Belgaum: Calling Union minister, Veerappa Moily, former Chief Minister, H D Kumaraswamy and Mr Nandan Nilekani of the Congress, “touring talkies,” senior BJP leader Ananth Kumar quipped, “It will be hard to say where these three leaders will disappear to after April 17 (day of election).”

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, he said the people would exercise their franchise taking into consideration the work carried out by the various parties and their leaders. “ The Congress lacks the courage to announce its Prime Ministerial candidate and the JDS lacked able leaders,” he maintained.

Coming down hard on litterateurs Dr U R Ananthamurthy and Girish Karnad for their involvement in the election campaign, he said it was unfortunate for men of their stature to do what they were doing. “We will appeal to the Election Commission to remove their photographs which have been displayed in schools and government offices for being Jnanapith awardees,” he added. Later, addressing a rally in Bijapur, he claimed the countdown for both the UPA and state governments had begun and Congressmen were afraid to face the elections owing to the strong Modi wave in the country.

In his address to a rally in Mudalgi, near Belgaum, Mr Ananth Kumar asserted the BJP would win over 300 seats to form a government at the Centre. “The UPA has taken the people for a ride for the last 10 years by making false assurances. The rising oil prices and worsening corruption have made the lives of people miserable.’’