Poll bound Karnataka is witnessing high-voltage drama which is enacted to appease the people for votes. Star campaigners of Congress, BJP and JDs are part of theatrics of election cacophonies. Congress president Rahul Gandhi who is waging a crucial battle in Karnataka polls for a comeback has on Monday took to bicycle ride to protest against fuel price hike in the country.
In one of his road shows at Malur in Kolar district very near to IT city Bengaluru Congress President rode a bicycle for a distance to protest against the petrol and diesel price hike. He was surrounded by thousands of slogan shouting supporters with SPG struggling to control the mob. At the same time former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh also attacked NDA Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for its failure of economic policies.
Rahul Gandhi arrived in Malur by a helicopter from Bengaluru, traveled for some distance in specially built bus during the road show and peddled cycle for some distance. He was also holding a poster of a gas cylinder to mark his protest.
Addressing the gathering standing on a bullock cart, Gandhi slammed Modi government for hike in fuel prices and questioned “Where was all the money going”. He said at the time when international crude prices are declining Modi government is increasing the prices.
Congress Chief blasted Modi for making false allegations against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and said PM is making people think that by repeating the lies he thinks he can make it a truth by fooling the people. He said “But the People of Karnataka are very intelligent and know what is BJP and have seen the performance of Siddaramaiah Government during the last five years.
"You (Modi) are coming to Karnataka for election campaign to tell lies only. You have never spelled out your government's performance during the last four years and failure to keep up even a single promise made before coming to power in 2014", he charged.
He alleged Modi for failed to deliver goods, but has also allowed money looters to escape from the country. "On the one side you are allowing looters to escape and also allowing them to enter Assembly by giving ticket to Reddy brothers who looted the national wealth," he added.
He said "during election campaign you have failed to touch upon the failures of Yeddyurappa government from 2008 to 2013 which saw BJP rule with Chief Ministers changed frequently after first Chief Minister (Yeddyurappa) went to jail on corruption charges."
Congress President who is fighting a serious and decisive political battle in Karnataka blamed Modi for cheating farmers by not waiving off their loans despite there was severe drought condition for three years consecutively. He said " Modi did not bother to consider my appeal to waive off farmers loan taken from Nationlised Banks as they were facing hardship, instead he waived off more than Rs 2,50,000 crore loan taken by 15 Industrialists”. “Whereas Siddaramaiah waived off farmers loan worth Rs 8000 crore taken from Cooperative institutions within 8 days of my appeal," he added. Alleging that Yeddyurappa was the most corrupt Chief Minister the Karnataka had ever witnessed, Congress President asked people to select whether they want to go with the government which is controlled by RSS and Nagpur or with Congress which is functioning on the principles of father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. "You decide whether you want a communal government or a Secular Government," he asked the gathering.
Rahul blamed Modi for being silent when his cabinet Minister stated that BJP has come to power at the Centre to change the Constitution. "He is yet to reply and ask his Minister to withdraw the statement”, he added.
In another rally at Hosakote Rahul Gandhi asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come out with qualifications of BJP Chief Ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa. "What are the qualifications of Yeddyurappa to became the Chief Minister. How you have selected him when you talk about eradicating corruption," he questioned Modi.