Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Parivarthana rally at Palace Grounds in Bengaluru. Stating that the end of Congress rule in Karnataka was near, the Prime Minister said that BJP will make Karnataka Congress-mukt in the upcoming elections. He made no mention of Mahadayi issue.
The rally was organised to mark the culmination of the 85-day pre-election campaign in all the Assembly constituencies taken out by party State president B.S. Yeddyurappa. Tight security was in place for the PM’s visit to Bengaluru and police had diverted traffic for the rally.
Unhappy with Narendra Modi not mentioning Mahadayi row in his speech, Kannada activists and farmers continue to protest at Freedom Park. Effigy of the Prime Minister burnt.
Narendra Modi finishes his speech expressing confidence that the State will elect BJP in the upcoming Assembly election to take it on a path of development. However, he makes no mention of Mahadayi dispute in the speech.
Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj arrested by the police at the Freedom Park.
Vatal Nagaraj being arrested by the police at the Freedom Park on Sunday.
India won U-19 world cup and we know the force behind it is Rahul Dravid. This is culture of the State to do selfless service
The identity of Congress government is just 10%. No work gets done without a cut of 10%. A Congress minister has been accused of Benami assets. Sand mafia, transfer mafia and builder mafia are ruling the roost in the State. Speaking about the Steel Flyover project, Mr. Modi said some people wanted crores of rupees in the name of steel flyover. BJP should be credited with stopping it.
While the country is talking of ease of doing business, Congress government in Karnataka is talking of ease of doing murder. Stating that there was aparadhi Raj (rule of crime) in Karnataka instead of rule of law, Mr. Modi says BJP workers are being killed in the State. "The social fabric of the state has been disturbed and that has to be replied with votes. We need to create Congress-free Karnataka and thereby corruption-free Karnataka."
Narendra Modi reaches out to farmers in his speech. "Farmers are my top priority and by top I mean Tomato, Onion and Potato." Says Yeddyurappa has farmers in his heart. Highlights a number of schemes for farmers that his government will introduce if it comes to power.
Do you see development matching those grants in the state? We need a BJP government in the State to take the state on the path to development. For Bengaluru, we are spending ₹ 17,000 crore for a 160 km network of suburban rail with 80 stations that will help 50 lakh commuters.
Our government is working towards ease of living. The schemes have also benefited the people of Karnataka. if there is a same party government in the State, there won't be any roadblocks from these benefits reaching people.
Accusing Congress of not doing anything for the people, Mr. Modi says in the last 3.5 yrs what funds centre has given Karnataka those funds haven't reached the people in the State. The Karnataka government is getting over ₹ 2 lakh crore and has seen a rise of over 118% compared to UPA time.
Stating that the countdown for the ouster of Congress government in the State has begun, the Prime Minister says, "Congress is at the exit door in the State. We will not only make Karnataka Congress-mukt, but will also make it Congress culture free in politics, society and culture."
Modi starts his speech in Kannada, greets people. Remembers Kempegowda, Kittur Chennamma, Sangolli Rayanna, Basaveshwara, Madara Chennaiah and Sir M. Visvewaraya.
Yeddyurappa makes a dalit pitch at the rally. Says Congress is a party that did not let the body of Dr. B R Ambedkar to be cremated in Delhi, they did not even give him Bharat Ratna. When Atal Bihari Vajpayee tried to make Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Prime Minister, Congress stonewalled the efforts. "So I request all the Dalits of the state not to even cast a single vote for Congress."
BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa address the gathering.
"After the 85-day tour of the State as part of the Parivartana Rally, I have realised there is water shortage everywhere and people are demanding more focus on irrigation. I assure that if we come to power, we will spend a total of ₹ 1 lakh crore for improving irrigation facilities during our term. We will complete all pending irrigation projects in the State."
Mr. Yeddyurappa refers to Nostradamus, who, he claims, had said several centuries ago that a strong leader will emerge from India and rule the world. "Modi has emerged now," he said.
Narendra Modi takes the stage. S.M. Krishna exchanges pleasantries with the PM. Modi is also accompanied by B.S. Yeddyurappa and Union Minister H.N. Ananth Kumar.
Narendra Modi reaches rally venue. To deliver speech anytime now. All eyes on the PM to see if he touches upon the Mahadayi issue. Kannada activists to stay put at Freedom Park till the end of speech. Lakhs of people gather at the venue to listen to the PM.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands at HAL aiorport. He is expected to reach Place Grounds by 4 p.m. The Prime Minister will be flying in a helicopter to the venue. Helipads have been created at the Palace Grounds.
An aerial view of Palace Grounds, where Narendra Modi will address the Parivarthana rally in Bengaluru.
Huge crowd has gathered at the rally venue and BJP supporters continue to pour in. Bellary Road and Jayamahal Road, leading to the Palace Grounds, are completely choked. People are being seen getting down from stranded vehicles and walking into the venue.
Karnataka Chief Secretary Ratna Prabha and State Director General and Inspector General of Police Neelamani N Raju welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the HAL airport in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Karnataka Transport Minister H.M. Revanna on Narendra Modi's visit to Bengaluru: Mr. Modi will never speak about development . Accuses Modi and Amit Shah of disturbing communal harmony.
"Siddaramaiah is the only Chief Minister who fulfilled the promises made in the election manifesto. We are fighting elections for development. Mr. Modi’s speech will have no impact," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to land at the HAL airport at 3.30 p.m. from where he will head to Palace Grounds, the venue of the rally. The BJP has engaged 4,000 volunteers to manage the event at Palace Grounds. BJP party workers are also working as traffic managers in key areas along with the traffic police.
Congress and BJP indulge in war of words on Twitter. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah taunts the Prime Minister asking him to find time for Karnataka’s drinking water needs. "I welcome PM @narendramodi ರವರು to Namma Karnataka - the no. 1 state in investments, innovation & progressive policies," reads the Tweet.
BJP state-president B.S. Yeddyurappa gives a sharp reply. Read it here
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in Bengaluru, a large group of Kannada activists protest at the Freedom Park seeking PM's intervention in Mahadayi dispute. Led by Vatal Nagaraj, the protestors are demanding that Mr. Modi to break his silence on the issue during his speech.
Senior Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj, who is leading the protest ahead of Narendra Modi's arrival in Bengaluru, on Sunday.
Mr. Nagaraj said: “Prime Minister has to break his silence and make clear his stand on the Mahadayi dispute during his speech in the city today. BJP MPs and ministers have till date failed to safeguard the interests of the State. If Mr. Modi doesn't speak up or resolve the issue, we will launch a new protest in the state: Nishyabdha Karnataka (silent Karanataka), where everything will come to a standstill in the State - no buses, no shops, no roads. But we won't call for a bandh,” he said.
