Election Heat Rises in Karnataka – Modi and Siddaramaiah Exchange Barbs

Bengaluru: In the wake of Bengaluru’s severe water shortage, which garnered national attention, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Congress-led Karnataka government for transforming the “tech city” into a “tanker city.” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah countered by questioning the Prime Minister’s absence during the state’s past floods and droughts.

As Karnataka prepares for its Lok Sabha elections, with 28 seats up for grabs in two phases on April 26 and May 7, the political discourse intensifies. Modi, addressing a pre-election rally, positioned himself as a pro-development leader, pledging to make India a global economic hub through advancements in green energy, pharmaceuticals, electronics, electric vehicles, semiconductors, and innovation. He contrasted this vision with the Congress party’s stance, which he labeled as obstructive to progress and youth development.

The Prime Minister announced a coalition between the BJP and Janata Dal-Secular, aiming to realize the aspirations of Karnataka’s people and committing to a developed India by 2047. He accused the Congress of neglecting Bengaluru’s infrastructure and focusing solely on corruption, hindering the city’s progress.

Amidst recent violent incidents in Karnataka, including the murder of a Congress leader’s daughter and attacks related to religious slogans, Modi urged vigilance against the Congress government’s ideology, which he deemed harmful.

Siddaramaiah responded sharply on social media, suggesting that Modi’s claims of constant service were mere public relations. He criticized Modi’s comments on farmer deception, highlighting the discontinuation of additional state support under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme once Congress took power in Karnataka.

The Chief Minister challenged Modi’s stance on farmer welfare, referencing the significant farmer protests and fatalities at Delhi’s borders during 2020-21. He accused the central government of failing to address farmers’ demands for guaranteed Minimum Support Prices and criticized the imposition of GST on agricultural essentials.

Siddaramaiah condemned the BJP as inherently anti-farmer, asserting that Karnataka’s farmers would recognize their true allies and respond accordingly in the upcoming elections.