Kalaburagi, Mar 16 : Kickstarting his Karnataka phase of Lok Sabha election campaign from the AICC Chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s home constituency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi positioned the BJP as a party committed to addressing the needs and aspirations of the people and criticized the Congress for its alleged mismanagement and corruption in Karnataka.

He accused the Congress of making Karnataka as its “Family ATM,” hinting that the party has been siphoning off the state’s resources for its own benefit rather than utilizing them for the development and welfare of the people. “Congress has made Karnataka its family ATM. The earnings of the people of Karnataka are being supplied from here to meet the party and family expenses,” he said in his election speech here.

Despite attempts at rebranding, Modi argued that the fundamental actions of the Congress party remain consistent, leading to disillusionment and resentment among the people of Karnataka.

He highlighted the dissatisfaction and anger of the people towards the Congress party’s governance and policies, alleging that despite changes in appearance, the party has not changed its ways.

“The anger that people have towards Congress in Karnataka I can understand. The Congress is a party that despite changing their costume a number of times, their misdeeds don’t change. That’s the reason people of Karnataka are awake and are angry towards it,” he said.

Modi positioned the BJP as a party committed to addressing the needs and aspirations of the people of Karnataka, contrasting it with what he sees as historical neglect by previous Congress governments.

“Congress has always ignored dreams and aspirations of Karnataka’s people. But the Central Government of the BJP has been leaving no stone unturned to ensure development and prosperity in this region.

He promised that the BJP government would make Karnataka a hub of agriculture and industry, emphasizing the party’s focus on development and prosperity in the region.

Modi criticized the law and order situation in Karnataka, alleging that the government has been openly supporting anti-social elements, which has led to a deteriorating situation.

“Law and order situation in Karnataka has been in a very bad state. The government here has been openly supporting anti-social elements,” he said.

The Prime Minister accused the Congress of being deeply ingrained with corruption, alleging that it is essential for those involved with the party, likening it to oxygen for them.

“Once the soot can be removed from coal, corruption cannot be removed from Congress. Corruption is oxygen for these family members. Without corruption, these people cannot even breathe in politics,” he said.

He underscored the BJP’s strategic focus on expanding its footprint in South India, mentioning efforts in Tamil Nadu and Kerala to increase the party’s influence beyond its traditional strongholds in North India.

UNI