Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hit back at Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy for his criticism of the recent income tax raids on PWD contractors in Mandya, Hassan and Mysuru, contending that being a "chowkidar" of the country, it was his duty to prevent the looting of public money.
Mr Modi, who was addressing a public rally at the Palace Grounds here, accused Mr Kumaraswamy of obstructing the income tax officials from carrying out their duty and threatening them by protesting before the office of the income tax department.
"When I-T officials conduct raids, it is the duty of law abiding citizens to cooperate with them. You are not above the law. The law is the same for the Prime Minister, Chief Minister and the common man. When I was the CM of Gujarat, a SIT was formed against me and I was summoned before ordinary policemen and grilled. I deposed before them. What stops you from cooperating with IT officials if you are honest?" he demanded, without naming the Chief Minister.
Mr. Modi charged that if the previous Congress administration in the state was " a 10 per cent commission government," the present coalition headed a 20 to 30 per cent commission government. "In Karnataka ,there are super Chief Ministers, and remote control Chief Ministers,who are controlling Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy," he maintained.
Speaking of the Congress manifesto, the Prime Minister said, "In its bundle of false promises, the Congress has promised to repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Kashmir and hold negotiations with Kashmiri youths, who are pelting stones on the armed forces. Do you support this party in the elections?"
Mr Modi continued, "Moreover, the Congress has promised to have two Prime Ministers, one for Delhi and another for Kashmir, which is exactly what Pakistan wants. Do you want to support this party? You should punish the Congress by making sure its candidates lose their deposits these elections."
Mr Modi went on to request first time voters "to vote for their future" and reject the Congress. He also recalled the contribution of the late Union minister, Ananthkumar in providing subsidised medical care to those who underwent knee and heart surgery.
