S. A. Hemanth
Humnabad/Vijayapura, April 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday commenced his poll campaign by addressing three public meetings, one each at Humnabad, Vijayapura (Bijapur) and Kudachi (Belgaum) districts.
It is distinctly clear that Modi has been pitching on two issues to muster support to his party in the May 10 elections. One is to tear Congress party to pieces on the issue of corruption, dynastic rule and arrogant attitude and second, highlight the contribution of the double-engine government and the need to return BJP with full mandate.
Modi cleverly took up the issue of the Congress using demeaning terminology – Poisonous snake – against him by saying that the “Congress had not spared even Dr Ambedkar and Savarkar. The Congress had called Babasaheb Ambedkar a “desh drohi” and had got him defeated in the elections.”
He, then, looked into the eyes of the people and said, “When the Congress had not spared Babasaheb Ambedkar, do you think they will spare me”? The Congress has used intemperate language and demeaninig words against me 91 times. I have no problem. I will take these abuses as gifts. I know the people will reply to these abuses.”
The Prime Minister harped upon the performance of the BJP government at the Centre towards the Youth (Mudra loan scheme), farmers (Phasal Bhima Yojana), women (providing free cylinders) and poor as well as down-trodden (providing free ration to 90 crore poor people) during Corona which is still continuing.
As is his practice, Modi commenced his speech in Kannada at Humnabad by offering his tributes to Lord Basaveshwara and other saints of the area. In Bijapur he said, “I went to Basaveshwara’s karmabhoomi first and now I have come to that great saint’s Janmabhoomi”
He called upon the people to beware of the ‘false guarantee’ of the Congress and instead trust the BJP which has been the “real performer” both in the state as well as at the Centre.
Modi is scheduled to participate in a 7-kms road show in Bangalore starting from NICE road junction till Sumanahalli junction later in the evening
