In his last leg of Karnataka tour, BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narednra Modi took a jibe at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who has been an “accidental Prime Minister” and asked the people to vote for a stable Government at the Centre.
Karnataka is going to polls on April 17.Addressing a mammoth crowd at Haveri — a place known for Byadagi chillies and cotton — Modi was at his sarcastic best interacting with the crowd.BJP’s PM-in-waiting brought Sanjay Baru’s book as a reference to call the Prime Minister weak and remote-controlled.
“I ask you all what type of Government you want in India. Do you want a lame Government in DelhiIJ Do you want a dumb GovernmentIJ A remote-controlled Government. A Government which is lying dead in the hospitalIJ”
He painted a gloomy picture of the Congress-led UPA, claiming it would not be able to open its account on several seats in States and would possibly end up with a single digit.With his specific mannerism and body language the BJP leader commanded cheer from the crowd and asked them to vote for a stable and clean Government.“Madam Soniaji and Shahazade need to understand the realities of the people. They have not done anything for a decade now.”
Modi was campaigning for Shivakumar Udasi of the BJP, a sitting MP who is seeking re-election in this lingayat dominant Haveri constituency. Speaking to The Pioneer, Udasi said the whole constituency is also riding high on Modi wave like in any other place in the country.
He added, “I am confident of my victory here. It is true that I am riding on Modi wave here too. But I have done a lot for my constituency and I am sure to win with a very big margin.”Haveri, a new district, has played a major role in BJP’s Government formation, first-ever BJP Government in the South — led by lingayat strongman BS Yeddyurappa. Here, in a direct fight BJP’s Shivakumar Udasi is taking on Saleem Ahmed of Congress.
Haveri land of Sufi saint Shishunala Sharief has been facing a direct fight. The place has also given birth to great saint poets Kanakadasa and Sarvajna who have, for years, spread the message of casteless society.
The consolidation of lingayat votes here has given an edge to the BJP which is riding high on Modi wave. In fact, when Yeddyurappa broke away from the BJP and formed KJP, Haveri gave him a political upsurge and many leaders from this part stood by him.