On his last leg of campaigning in Karnataka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the contribution of saints and mutts towards transforming the society of the state and taking it on a path of progress.

Speaking at an election rally in Vijayapura (Bijapur) in poll-bound Karnataka on Tuesday, the PM said the ruling Congress government had forgotten the teachings of Lord Basaveshwara – who was born in Vijayapura.

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“It is the saints, seers and mutts who have played a key role in making the society of Karnataka progressive and harmonious. They have worked to remove human suffering,” he said.

“I am here in a land that is closely associated with Bhagwan Basaveshwara. His philosophy called for taking all sections of society together,” said Modi.

“Sadly, the Congress government has not followed his ideals. All they are bothered about is their votes,” the PM slammed the ruling party in the state.

He said that it was the BJP government of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee which installed the statue of Bhagwan Basaveshwara in the Parliament.

Taking on the Congress on women’s issues, the PM said that it was the NDA government led by BJP at the Centre which has shown its seriousness about the safety of women.

“It is the NDA Government that has got a tough law that will ensure safety of women,” he said referring to the amendment in the law which calls for capital punishment for rapists of children under 12 years of age.

“A daughter is a daughter, whether a Muslim, Hindu, Christian. All daughters should get security,” he pointed out, adding that “vote bank politics should not be played on the lives of daughters”.

“I am surprised that this Congress is lecturing on women’s rights but blocked the triple talaq law we introduced in Parliament,” the PM said.

Modi also rejected the claims that Karnataka will witness a hung assembly.

“Those who from air-conditioned rooms predict that no party will get a majority in this state should come out of their AC rooms and see this crowd which is here in this 45 degree Celsius,” the PM said.

Taking a dig at the ruling Siddaramaiah government, Modi said, “What has the Congress done for the farmers of Karnataka? When the state was suffering due to droughts, Ministers handling key portfolios were busy in Delhi doing politics.”

The PM also accused the Congress government of corruption and highlighted the schemes and policies of his government at the Centre for the welfare of the people.

The PM is scheduled to address two more rallies in the state which will head to polls on 12 May. counting will be held on 15 May, which will reveal the outcome of the three-way contest between the BJP, Congress and Janata Dal (Secular).