Congress president Rahul Gandhi is visiting Karnataka for the first time since taking charge in December last. He arrived in Ballari on Saturday to kickstart the party's poll campaign for the coming Assembly elections. Mr. Gandhi’s mother and former party president Sonia Gandhi fought her maiden election from the Ballari Lok Sabha constituency 19 years ago and defeated BJP leader Sushma Swaraj in the 1999 general election.
Today's biggest corruption is seen in Rafale deal under BJP rule: Rahul Gandhi
Mr. Gandhi asks Mr. Modi to spell out the details of the Rafale fighter jet deal. He says, "Today's biggest corruption is seen in Rafale deal under the BJP rule."
"Mr. Modi is silent on generating employment, ignorant about farmer's issues but chose to criticise Congress during his visit to Bengaluru. People expect him to speak about taking the country towards development. Mr. Siddaramaiah drives vehicle seeing ahead while Mr. Modi is driving looking at the rear view mirror."
He says demonetisation was a "fooling step." "Let the Prime Minister learn from Mr.Siddaramaiah who has been striving hard for the welfare of all sections of society."
Mr. Gandhi ends his speech on a nostalgic note, saying: "I share a special connection with Ballari. You stood with Sonia Gandhi and chose her when she needed you. I will never forget this is my life."
'One cannot expect truth from BJP'
Mr. Gandhi begins his speech by greeting people in Kannada. He says the people of Karnataka have to decide between two parties. He accuses the BJP of lying to people. One "cannot expect truth from that party."
He says, "The BJP, when in power, held that special status was not possible, although the UPA government earlier had implemented it. The Hyderabad-Karnataka region is now getting special funds for development, reservation in employment and education - this is the gift of the Congress."
2:40 p.m.
All promises fulfilled: CM
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah says the Congress government has fulfilled the promises made by it to the people.
"All welfare schemes of the government benefited poor, irrespective of caste and religion. The schemes benefited nearly 90 percent of the people. The BJP govnmentt plundered natural resources. They looted minerals of Ballari. Former Lokayukta Santosh Hegde termed Ballari as 'Republic of Ballari' for alleged loot of iron ore by Reddy brothers," he says.
The crime rate is high in the BJP ruled States and Mr. Modi has no moral right to continue as the Prime Minister, he alleges and accuses Mr. Modi of telling "a bundle of lies" about the Karnataka government.
"People of Karnataka don't trust Mr. Modi since he was responsible for 2002 riots. No anti-incumbency against Congress government. People of Karnataka want the congress to return to power. Sonia Gandhi has emotional connection to Ballari. She won the parliamentary election from Ballari in 1999. The Congress will win all the nine Assembly seats here in the coming election," he says.
Mallikarjuna Kharge
Congress will return to power, says Kharge
Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge says the Congress will return to power in the State. The BJP's campaign in Karnataka won't work. "The BJP is twisting history to earn vote. Common people suffered due to demonetisation. " The BJP is "dividing the nation on communal lines" for votes. Mr. Kharge mentions an episode from Parliament where he accuses Mr. Modi of insulting women after the Prime Minister's remarks on Congress MP Renka Chowdhury's laugh in Parliament.
Mr. Kharge asks the Chief Minister to give more focus on Hyderabad Karnataka in the State budget for 2018-19.
Mr. Gandhi inaugurates a poll rally by lightning a lamp.
Mr. Gandhi arrives in Ballari. He welcomes to the party former BJP MLAs Anand Singh, BJP sitting MLA Narendra and JD (s) MLA Bheema Naik to the party. Mr. Singh recently quit the BJP and tendered his resignation of the Assembly membership.
