Congress president Rahul Gandhi attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday over a host of issues, ranging from the bank frauds to the Dalit protests.
Speaking at a gathering in Shivamogga district of the poll-bound state, Gandhi accused the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of playing ‘politics of hate’.
“PM Modi must realise that the country doesn’t run on empty rhetoric, hatred and batons,” he said while accusing Modi of attempting to take India on a path of confrontation marked by “anger, hatred and aggression”.
“This country runs on love and not hatred. The more you cherish the diversity of our country, the better would it grow,” he said in a message to the BJP.
The 47-year-old Congress chief also raised the issue of the banking fraud which has affected the country in recent months.
Citing examples of Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi, Gandhi said that the banking system is being blown to pieces because of bank defaults.
“The list of fraudsters that have hurt our banking system is increasing,” he said as Congress supporters waved party flags.
In his address, Gandhi also pointed out that PM Modi had not yet spoken on Dalit issues and the Supreme Court judgment on the SC/ST Act – protests around which turned violent on Monday across the country.
“PM Modi has not spoken a word on the rise of atrocities against Dalits and Adivasis under his regime,” Gandhi said.
Gandhi, who is touring the state as part of the Congress’ Jana Aashirwada Yatre also took a dig at the PM in his all out attack on the Centre by raising the Doklam issued.
“PM Modi’s swing diplomacy with China failed. China aggressively expands its presence in Doklam while Modi ji remains silent. He has a 56 inch chest but when China entered Doklam then not a word was uttered,” said Gandhi.
He also took a jibe at BJP president Amit Shah who had committed a goof up by calling BJP’s CM candidate BS Yeddyurappa as “corrupt” instead of Siddaramaiah. Shivamogga is the hometown of Yeddyurappa.
“By calling Yeddyurappa’s government as the most corrupt ever, Amit Shah has for the first time in his life spoken the truth,” he said.
Highlighting the work done by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Gandhi claimed that his party has worked for the welfare of the people. He claimed that the poor in the state never go to sleep hungry and girls receive free education.
Gandhi will be addressing another meeting in Davangere today before heading to Chitradurga, Tumakuru and Ramanagara districts, where he is scheduled to address meetings on Wednesday.
Polling for the assembly elections in Karnataka will be held on 12 May and results will be announced on 15 May.