Archives for May 2018

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday shared stage with one of the Reddy brothers in Ballari – an act that was seen as putting his weight behind the BJP’s most controversial move in the assembly election in Karnataka. The Reddy brothers – lawmakers and ministers during the earlier BJP government in the state — have been accused of conducting largescale illegal mining across the iron-ore-rich district of Ballary.

Ballari — from where they have been given ticket again — became the second stop in PM Modi’s second visit to the state this week.

The BJP has been facing intense criticism from the Congress since it named Gali Somashekhara Reddy in its second list on April 17. Ticket for a second brother, Gali Karunakara Reddy followed. Gali Janardhana Reddy, a former minister who has the bulk of accusations against him, was soon seen campaigning across the district for the BJP.

The BJP has defended the move as a “compromise”, claiming they are the party’s best chances for a victory in the area. The Central leadership, which presumably approved the move, has been silent despite numerous Congress demands for an explanation.

On thursday, PM Modi shared stage with Gali Somashekhara Reddy at the District Stadium before hundreds of supporters. He did not speak about the candidate or Congress allegations. Instead, he chose to focus on the alleged Congress failures.

“Sonia Gandhi had promised a 3000-crore package to Ballari, but forgot her promise. Despite all the natural resources, Ballari hasn’t be able to develop, because of the government in Bengaluru. This government hasn’t done anything,” the Prime Minister said.

The Reddy brothers represent a chunk of corruption allegations that mushroomed during the BJP government led by BS Yeddyurappa. Gali Somasekhara Reddy is accused of bribing a judge in the cash-for bail case that involved Janardhan Reddy.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who are spearheading the attack on the BJP over corruption, were scathing in their criticism.

Early this morning, Mr Siddaramaiah had welcomed PM Modi with a tweet: “As you arrive in Bellary, we look forward to hear your commentary on corruption. Don’t forget to mention Reddy’s record scam score of 35,000 cr & still not out. With star players like Yeddy-Reddy, your score in Karnataka will be well short of 60.

For the Gauhati Municipal Corporation election training of all Registration Officers for Preparation of Electoral Rolls in respect of all 31 GMC Wards held at Conference hall of Circuit House here today. Tokheswar Muktiar, Secretary, State Election Commission conducted the Training. All the statutory process needed to be followed in preparing Electoral Roll were clearly explained to the Registration Officers. Deba Kumar Mishra, Additional Commissioner, GMC along with election officer Chinmoy Prakash Phookan attended the training and briefed the Registration Officers. It may be noted that the Draft Electoral Rolls for all the 31 wards of GMC shall be published on 5 May 2018.

Hindusthan Samachar/Arvind/Amit Kumar

Prime Minister, Sri. Narendra Modi has called upon the Karnataka people to vote for Bharatiya
Janata Party, which can oust most corrupt Congress regime and restore the State pride.
Sri Modi on Wednesday addressed as many as three rallies in election bound Karnataka. In his first meeting at
Kalburgi, he called upon the people to reject divisive and vote-bank politics of Congress. In his second rally at Ballari, Prime
Minister talked about the duplicity of Congress over corruptions and criminalisation of politics.
Addressing a mammoth rally in Bengaluru this evening Sri Modi lambasted both Congress and Janata Dal (S) for their
hobnobbing with communal forces.
Whenever Congress is set to lose power, Prime Minister said, the political pandits and pollsters who are staunch
loyalists of Congress, will start predicting a split verdict. Even during 2014 Lok Sabha elections and other Assembly elections,
they predicted hung Houses but they proved to be utterly wrong. Now, these loyalists are again predicting hung Assembly,
which means the Congress is on its way out, and BJP will come to power with thumping majority he said amidst applause.
He said – no pollster is telling that the JDS is in the reckoning. It is crawling at distant third place. Everybody knows, it
cannot take on Congress nor provide an alternative. Only BJP can oust Congress. Hence, he is sure that the wise people of
Karnataka will not waste their votes by siding with JDS. Now, you have got a golden opportunity to end the misrule of Congress
he said and called upon the people to come to polling booths on May 12 and bring BJP to power by pressing Lotus button.
He said – the JDS like Congress, is also hobnobbing with Communal forces. In an indirect reference to All India Majlis-eIttehadul
Muslimeen’s open support to JDS, he said the regional party (JDS) in pursuit of power has made handshake with
most communal political outfit, which is detrimental to the interest of Karnataka.
Explaining the misrule of Congress he said the rule of grand old party had ruined the state and the capital
city of Bengaluru on all fronts. The most talented youths and IT professionals of Bengaluru transformed their city into
Silicon Valley of India. But the Congress through its misdeeds has turned it into a City of Sin.
The IT professionals made Bengaluru a Computer Capital but the Congress which always patronises the
anti-social elements, turned it into a Crime City. For ages, the city of Bengaluru is known as Garden City but the
Congress rule (in BBMP) made it a Garbage City.
The most generous people known for their hospitality evolved Bengaluru into a Cosmopolitan City but
Congress regime turned it into a City of Kiosk. Also, young entrepreneurs made Bengaluru a Start-up capital but
wrong policies of Congress took away the sheen. Instead, they made Bengaluru a Pothole City. These are five
“gifts” the Congress gave to Bengalureans.
Stating that the rampant corruption of Congress regime has taken Karnataka to backward, he said instead of
doing developmental works the different departments and ministers are competing among themselves to set records
in corruption. He also cited the example of a steel bridge (flyover) project between Chalukya Circle and Hebbal,
which was abandoned after BJP protested. Instead of “Steel” Bridge it was to become “Steal” Bridge for Congresss
leaders, he told the cheering crowd. When asked whether such government needs to continue – the crowd cried “No
No”.
Prime Minister ridiculed the Congress Manifesto, which is full of falls data and promises. He concluded his
speech with slogans in Kannada “Sarkara Badalisi – BJP Gellisi” (Change government and make BJP victorious.
Former Chief Minister, Sri S. M. Krishna arrived on the dais when Sri. Modi had begun his speech. However,
Sri Modi halted his speech for a few second, and wished Sri. S. M. Krishna with folded hand.
Union Minister, Sri. H. N. Ananth Kumar translated Sri. Modi’s Hindi speech to Kannada. Union Minister, Sri.
D. V. Sadanand Gowda; MP Sri. P. C. Mohan and candidates of Bengaluru segments participated.
– S