Prime Minister Narendra Modi has slammed the Congress party for turning Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru from a tech hub to a ’tanker hub’.
In an interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, News18 Lokmat anchor Vilas Bade, and News18 Kannada Editor Hariprasad, Modi took a swipe at Karnataka’s ruling Congress party and said the party’s government has not been able to keep up its electoral promises.
The ’tanker hub’ was a jibe at the water crisis in Bengaluru under the Congress government that has led to the deployment of water tankers.
Modi also mocked the state leadership of Congress and said that there is no clarity who the chief minister is in the state.
“While the CM has taken oath, it has not been settled who it really is. There are a lot of people who consider themselves as the CM,” said Modi.
He further said, “Look at the deputy CM. He is asking for votes for his brother so that he can become CM; so everyone is playing games. There are games being played to remove the CM.”
‘Murder’, ‘bankruptcy’, ’tanker city’: PM’s barrage on Congress
Modi said that the people of Karnataka are regretting that they elected the Congress party to power in the state.
“Our public support has not gone down; in fact, it has increased. But, in such a short time, they still have unresolved issues like the post of CM,” said Modi.
From law and order to water scarcity, Modi touched various issues plaguing the city and said that Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) support in the state has gone up lately.
“If you look at the law-and-order situation, there are blasts and murders taking place; the economic condition is in a state of complete bankruptcy. They made big promises and then said, if this happens, you will get this; if that happens, you will get this. This means you are cheating the public,” said Modi.
He further said, “Look at Bengaluru, it has played a big role in raising India’s reputation across the world. Bengaluru used to be known as the tech hub and now, in no time, it has been turned into a tanker hub. And tankers also have a mafia culture. People are yearning for water.”
‘They should’ve had courage to fulfil promises’
Referring to the ‘guarantees’ of Congress party in Karnataka, Modi said the party’s government should have had the courage to fulfil the promises that it had made to the public.
In Karnataka, Congress had promised five guarantees: 1) 200 units free electricity 2) Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of family 3) 10 kg free rice to every below poverty line (BPL) family 4) Free travel for women in state-run buses 5) Rs 3,000 monthly unemployment allowance for 24 months
Later, however, the Congress statement government said it had no money left for developmental work as all of the state funds were spent in guarantees.
Modi drew a contrast with the BJP and said that the Congress is not able to deliver despite its promises.
“When we said we will give Ayushman Bharat cards to certain people, we will do it, and there will be no dishonesty by adding ifs and buts. Now, if we have said we will give Ayushman card to anyone over 70, across all classes, then we will give. You should have that courage. They cancelled the scheme for farmers, and there was no reason for it…The issues they sought votes on, they are unable to deliver on those,” said Modi.
He further said, “When it comes to scholarships for the youth, they have reduced the amount as well as the number. One after the other, they have taken such negative decisions.”
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Bengaluru was known as India’s tech hub, and now, it has been turned into a tanker hub: PM Modi
