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

Political and non-political circles here are making much of the remark of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Congress president Rahul Gandhi has “insulted” former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) founder, H D Deve Gowda, by calling his party “B team” of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

These circles are trying to read much in between the lines as Modi, generally, does not make a statement like this on such occasions without pre-meditation. He must have weighed it properly before making it public.

Much significance is also being attached because it was not a one-liner. He said a few things more and described the way he used to receive him and see off.

The matter was not given a burial because the very next day Deve Gowda reacted positively to most part of his story. The former PM did say that Modi was a “clever” politician and that he had not done much for Karnataka but this part of his statement was rather ignored.

Most of the local newspapers, too, have highlighted his positive reaction. Deve Gowda also paid a “compliment” to the Prime Minister, said one. They have also covered in detail his prediction about the BJP before the Lok Sabha elections and Modi’s meeting with him to persuade him not to resign.

All this is being seen in the light of Modi’s first meeting in the last leg of campaigning in Chamarajanagar district in South Karnataka where Congress had won many seats. Old Mysuru area is a part of the southern region and JDS was a runner-up in the belt.

The JDS, according to a party leader, had won 24 seats in the region out of the total 40 in state Assembly in 2013. If it improves its tally in the region, much damage may be caused to the ruling party. The BJP was no major force in the belt.

Some political pundits believe that one way of keeping the Congress away from winning a majority is to encourage the JDS in the areas where the party is strong. There is no evidence, but there are people who also talked of a tacit understanding between the JDS and the BJP.

Modi’s praise of Deve Gowda and his “return gift” is largely behind speculations of this kind. Some BJP men, however, have nothing against this kind of strategy. “In an election, winning matters and nothing else. Any understanding with any other party to defeat the main rival is fair in electoral politics”, said one of them.

Modi’s and Deve Gowda’s comments are being seen in another prospective. In case of a hung Assembly, such elements see a possibility of the two coming together. “The JDS does not like Siddaramaiah because he had left the party and joined Congress bandwagon. So, it is unlikely to go with him”. Some body other than him may be liked by the party but he has to face the ire of Siddaramaiah who has a majority support.

The BJP is not well placed in this Vokkaligas -dominated region. To make a major inroad into this belt will not be easy for the party. The inchage of four districts in the region, C R Patil, however, hopes to move into double digit from zero.

Patil, an MP from Gujarat, has been asked to look after Hassan, Chamarajanagar, Mysuru and Mandya districts, where the party was relatively weaker. He is a close confidante of party president Amit Shah and Modi.

It is not yet clear what his hope is based on. But it has provided grist to the rumour mill.

Hindusthan Samachar/ R. Narayan/ Shri Ram Shaw

Prime Minister and BJP leader Narendra Modi and Karnataka’s party chief B S Yeddyurappa during a party rally ahead of Karnataka assembly polls in Chamarajanagar, on May 1, 2018.

Prime Minister and BJP leader Narendra Modi and Karnataka’s party chief B S Yeddyurappa during a party rally ahead of Karnataka assembly polls in Chamarajanagar, on May 1, 2018. “There should be truth in the words that come out of the Prime Minister’s mouth. There should be some weight in his words,” Gandhi said while addressing a rally at Aurad.

“He said he would deposit Rs 15 lakh each in poor citizens’ bank accounts. Did he do it? He promised two crore jobs to the youth every year. Did he do it? He said he would give higher minimum support price to farmer. But he did none of this,” Gandhi added.

“Then what does he actually do? He helps only 15 persons. He helps the Reddy brothers (Janardhana, Karunakara and Somashekara Reddy) and wants to field them in the elections,” he said.

Gandhi said that Modi had little to speak about Karnataka, its farmers and youths, and therefore the Prime Minister was resorting to personal attacks on him (Rahul Gandhi).

“Modiji has very little to speak in this elections. He cannot speak about farners because he neither waived off their loans nor provided suitable MSP. He cannot speak of education, healthcare or developemntal issues because the state’s Congress government has performed excellently on all fronts. So he is resorting to personal attacks on me. But this does not behove of a Prime Minister of India,” Gandhi said.

He asked Modi as to why he was silent when diamantaire Nirav Modi fled the country after the PNB scam involving thousands of crores of public money and on BJP chief Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah’s firm allegedly registering windfall profits after the BJP took power at the Centre in 2014.

“Small businesses are closing down due to Gabbar Singh Tax (GST) and demonetisation. But Amit Shah’s son’s business registered windfall profits. Why is Modiji silent on this? He has made fun of me but has not answered my questions,” the Congress President said.

Playing the nationalism card, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday accused the Congress of “insulting national heroes” and the Indian Army by “questioning” the veracity of the cross-border surgical strikes.

He also said that Congress president Rahul Gandhi “disrespected” the national song ‘vande mataram’.

“Forgetting the national heroes, patriots and history is the nature of a family in the Congress. (Jawaharlal) Nehru and V K Krishna Menon insulted General (KS) Thimayya, who had to resign. They neglected General (K M) Cariappa,” Modi told an election rally in Kalaburagi in Karnataka, as he sought to connect with the voters of the home state of the two legends of the Army.

Invoking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the prime minister said independent India’s first home minister, was instrumental in forcing the Nizam of Hyderabad, who controlled the region where Kalaburagi is located, to accede to the country.

“But one family in the Congress loses its sleep whenever Sardar Patel’s name crops up,” he said.

Seeking to appeal to patriotic sentiments of voters, the prime minister raked up the issue of cross-LoC surgical strikes, claiming the Congress questioned the genuineness of the assault by the Indian Army.

“They (Congress) sought proof about the genuineness of the surgical strike. Bodies of Pakistani soldiers were carried on trucks, a newspaper said that…and they need proof. Should our soldiers go on such operations with a camera or a gun?” he said.

The prime minister said a Congress leader even called the Army chief a “goonda” (gangster) after the surgical strike.

The prime minister reached out to farmers of Karnataka, saying his government would take up farming of pulses in a big way.

Rejecting the Congress claim that it was a champion of Dalit causes, Modi referred to “atrocity” on a Dalit girl in Karnataka’s Bidar. “But the state’s ruling party did not speak about it. they had no candlelight protests,” he said.

“This party (Congress) only knows how to prostrate before the members of one family. But we have decided to construct memorials to the tribals who fought against the British since 1857 to 1947 when India became independent,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took a swipe at the Congress, saying the party misleads people by making “false promises” before elections and when it manages to come to power, only a few families prosper.

“The Congress, in this election, is seeking votes of Dalits. Khargeji (Mallikarjun Kharge) is a big leader of the Congress. In the last election, the Congress promised they will make Khargeji the Chief Minister.

“But he was sidelined and a Chief Minister was chosen by secret voting. See, how they misled the Dalits,” Modi told an election rally here.

The Prime Minister also hit out at Kharge, the Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, and took a dig at what he said was “family rule” in the party.

“They (Congress) talk about Dalits but the Bharatiya Janata Party wins confidence of the people. When the BJP is elected the lotus blooms and people prosper but when the Congress wins only a few families shine.

“By the way, does anybody know about the assets of Khargeji’s family? Did Dalits prosper?” he asked.

Modi said his government had taken numerous steps to further the welfare of the Dalit and tribal communities.

Referring to the rape and murder case of a 19-year-old woman in Bidar, Modi said: “Where are those who held candle marches in Delhi? Why did they not organise a candle march in support of the victim of Bidar?”

During his half hour speech, the Prime Minister said his government had taken several steps for the welfare of Dalits and tribals.

(IANS)

BENGALURU, MAY 3 : – Bharatiya Janata Party has petitioned Election Commission of India to initiate stringent
action against the Congress party for giving an open call to Muslims to vote for the party (Congress).
Disclosing this at a Media Conference here today, BJP national spokesperson, Dr. Sambit Patra said – senior
Congress leader, Sri Gulam Nabi Azad in an electioneering meeting at Gulburga couple of days ago, appealed that
“Muslims in Karnataka should vote for Congress en-masse”. Congress Leader in Lok Sabha, Sri Mallikarjun Kharge was
also present in the meeting when Mr. Azad, who is the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, made this communal
overture.

Dr. Patra said – Mr. Azad had got a bit of advice tagged to his call. It was – “For any reason, don’t criticise Hindus.
If done so the BJP will win. Vote Congress en-masse silently”. One should understand the fact that Sri. Azad is close to
Gandhi-Nehru family and he cannot utter a single word without the consent of Congress leaders Smt. Sonia Gandhi and
Sri Rahul Gandhi.
In another incident, Dr. Patra said, a horrendous video of Sri Jameer Ahmed, the Congress candidate for
Chamarajpet segment in Bengaluru I is doing the rounds, in which he said while addressing people from his faith – “Insha
Allah, we should unite and vote for Congress so that Sri Siddramaiah will become Chief Minister and I will become a
Minister. If I won’t become a Minister, Insha Alla see what I will do”.
What kind of threat is this? Is it a civilised language? Isn’t it a communal appeal? Won’t it instigate communal
flare up?. All Congress leaders right from Sri Azad to Sri Jameer Ahmed are talking in communal tone polarising voters on
religious lines.
He said – as usual the grand old party is pursuing “Divide and Rule” policy in Karnataka too. They are dividing
people on the basis of caste, creed and religion. Even after running Government for full 5-year term, the Congress party
wants to win the elections on communal agenda.

On the other hand, Dr. Patra said, BJP is facing elections on the plank of development. When began his rallies in
Karnataka two days ago, Prime Minister, Sri. Narendra Modi set the party’s agenda – “Development, Fast Pace of
Development and All round Development”. It is the difference between Congress and BJP.
Dr. Patra said BJP has also complained about the objectionable actions of Udupi Deputy Commissioner, Priyanka
Francis, who ordered that all Bhagva Zendas (saffron flags) on temples must be removed. Saffron flags don’t belong to
BJP. They belong to beliefs and culture of this land for thousands of years. They have been fluttering on temple for
thousands of years. The officer, who is close to Congress leadership, is doing all this at the behest of her political boss.
Also, the administration has banned playing of “Yakshagaana”, a mythological play which is ingrained in the
culture of coastal Karnataka for thousands of years. It is highly condemnable. BJP wants to ask Sri Rahul Gandhi that
whether his party is fighting elections against “aastha” of people or political opponents.
Referring to Sri. Rahul Gandhi’s tweets and erratic data on different projects of Central Government, Dr. Patra
said in sarcastic tone – the Congress is not able to get data because the UK based Cambridge Analytica, which used to
provide data to Congress party, has been closed. After its data associate (Cambridge Analytica) closed, the Congress is in
dearth of data. Further in a lighter note Dr. Patra said “No Data and ‘Galata’ in Congress (Chaos in Congress).
State BJP spokesperson, Ashwathnarayana, who was present in the press meet, said Sri Siddaramaiah lied that
none of the Congress candidates including Sri Anand Singh and Sri Nagendra did not go to jail. In fact, they were jailed in
illegal mining cases. However, Sri Siddaramaiah is busy citing the prison experience of others, which is ridiculous.
Rajyasabha Member, Rajiv Chandrashekhar; party co-spokespersons Sri. Anwar Manappady, Sri S. Prakash, Kum.
C. Manjula were present

Though Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah chose to contest from two seats in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly poll to ensure his election, the ruling Congress rivals – the BJP and the JD(S) – are leaving no stone unturned to give him some trying moments.

Both the BJP and the JD(S) have generally fielded strong candidates on the two seats where Siddaramaiah is contesting from. The strategy of the two opposition parties is making him feel insecure.

The BJP and the JD(S) hope to tie Siddaramaiah, who is Congress’ star campaigner, as much as possible to his two seats. This would give the Karnataka chief minister less time to campaign for other Congress candidates, helping both the BJP and the JD(S).

Siddaramaiah has filed nominations from Badami and Chamundeshwari.

In a high public rally yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raked up Siddaramaiahs decision to contest on two seats. Calling it a “2 1 formula”, the PM alleged that the Karnataka CM was afraid of defeat and, therefore, he was changing seats and fighting on two seats.

While the BJP has fielded its heavyweight leader and Bellary Lok Sabha member B Sreeramulu in Badami, the JD(S) has chosen Hanamanth Mavinmarad to give a tough fight to the Karnataka CM. The JD(S) hopes to consolidate the Lingayat votes in Badami through Mavinmarad.

The contest in Chamundeshwari is no less interesting than in Badami.

Siddaramaiah chose Chamundeshwari perhaps because it has a high percentage of Kurubas, an OBC caste. The Karnataka CM is also a Kurubu.

But it also has a considerable population of Vokkaligas who constitute the main voter base of the JD(S).

Hence, the JD(S) has pitted sitting MLA and local heavyweight GT Deve Gowda, a Vokkaliga, against Siddaramaiah.

The BJP, on the other hand, has fielded a comparatively weaker candidate Gopal Rao. This is Rao’s first Assembly election. It has given an impression that the BJP is indirectly supporting the JD(S) in Chamundeshwari in order to give Siddaramaiah a run for his money.

The BJP may not hope to defeat Siddaramaiah in either Badami or Chamundeshwari but it certainly is trying to confine the Karnataka CM to his two seats.

The JD(S) has put strong candidates from both the constituencies.

JD(S) candidate Mavinmarad feels that Siddaramaiah cannot take JD(S) for granted either in Chamundeshwari or Badami.

Siddaramaiah must be finding himself in a non-enviable position. If he devotes more time to his constituencies, the other Congress seats may suffer. If he ignores his seats, he may risk losing both.

Perhaps contesting on two seats has become more problematic for Siddaramaiah than providing any solution. It may have been easier to manage had he contested on just one seat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged the people of Karnataka to vote for a change in the Assembly elections, saying their mandate would decide the future of farmers and youths.

“This election is going to decide the future of Karnataka, its farmers and youth. It is about the safety of women. Do not assume that it is only about electing an MLA, it is much beyond that,” Modi told an election rally at Navodaya Vidyalaya Grounds in Kalaburagi, about 630 km northwest of Bengaluru.

Modi, who is campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for a second day, addressed the rally for some 30 minutes in Hindi.

Accusing the state’s Congress government of being indifferent to farmers, Modi said the state failed to ensure that the benefits of central government’s schemes reached the farmers.

“Kalaburagi is known for dal (pulses) cultivation. Our farmers are working hard here but the Karnataka government is insensitive towards their condition,” Modi said.

He said the BJP’s Chief Ministerial face, B.S. Yeddyurappa, was a farmer’s son who understood the concerns of the farmers.

“In Yeddyurappa, we have a leader who is devoted to the welfare of the farmers. For him, their (farmers’) welfare is top priority.”

Modi will later address rallies in the mining district of Ballari and in Bengaluru.

The Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer’s office has been developed under the ‘Electoral’ name, which has various information related to the election. This app is available to citizens of the Google Play Store from today. The app has been developed based on factors in the KAP survey.
In KAP survey If 25 per cent do not vote because they do not have information about where the polling place is, then the urban area will be around 10 per cent. 17.5 percent said they would not vote because they did not stand in long queues. Similarly, 7.5% of the urban voters said they would not be able to vote because they did not know about their candidate and their constituency.
‘Election’ Android Apps will get solutions to all these problems. Citizens can now obtain many information related to the election at a fingerprint with one click.
This app is useful for accessing polling routes through easy and low traffic congestion routes. Many information, including the constituency, the polling station and the candidate’s details are available here. Here are the information you need to choose who will be right for your service for the next five years.
Highlights: –
• The geographical information system of the entire state can be viewed.
• 56696 Vote Centers and Their Map (Map).
• Entering the information on the Epic Card will inform you about the way you reach your polling station.
• Get information on traffic and queue line information.
• Information from various officials of bosses is available.
• Allow Wheelchair to be reserved for Senior Citizens and Specialists.
• Your nearest police and health center information.
• Assembly election schedule in your constituency.
 The app can be used in other cases as well as election. New voters can be included in the voter’s list or in emergency situations to reach nearby police station or health centers. It is possible to effectively conduct elections and enforce the Model Code of Conduct as it is possible to connect with the authorities directly through this app.
Dashboard: – The Karnataka Election Information System is a GIS (Geographic Information System) web portal. All information related to elections in Karnataka will be available in this regard. The website also details information available on polls, including polling and polling and its coverage information. Several descriptive and comparative information, including demographic detail, voting details, past election statistics, details of candidates, and the winning margin of the election. In general, there are information that citizens need to understand democracy.