Modi Says Nothing On Karnataka’s Future, He Only Distracts: Rahul Gandhi

As Karnataka goes to polls on Saturday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “distracting” the people of the state. He claimed that the BJP has no vision for Karnataka and copied half of the things from the Congress’ manifesto.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Thursday, Gandhi said the Congress party campaigned on fundamental issues, unlike the Opposition BJP, which made personal attacks on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, M Mallikarjun Kharge, and other leaders, including himself.

Some of the highlights of the press conference, which was also attended by Siddaramaiah and other Congress leaders, are:

1)  Training guns at the Opposition for lacking in vision, Gandhi said the Congress is very clear about what it wants to do for Karnataka in the next five years. “The BJP built the manifesto in a closed room for three-four days, copied half of what we said. So, there is a lack of seriousness among them on what they want to deliver. We made certain commitments and we delivered on those commitments,” he said expressing his confidence of winning the polls.

2) Answering a question on Rafale deal, Gandhi said it must be a “smashing deal” for Modi himself and “his businessman friend”. He said, “Thousands of technical jobs could have come to Karnataka. But Modi chose to give deal to his friend by paying Rs 1,500 crore for a plane.”

3) Responding to another query about the PM distracting people, Gandhi said that the PM has nothing to say for the future of Karnataka, so he only distracts people.

4) On the Congress party’s stand on Dalits, Gandhi said the prime minister is right to say that we raise issues relating to Dalits. “We will defend rights of Dalits. When Rohit Vemula is killed, the PM did not say a word. When the people in Una were beaten up, humiliated, he did not say a word.”

5) Speaking on atrocities against women, Gandhi said rape of women is a political issue and the nation must discuss it. The treatment of women is absolutely an issue, he said, adding, the PM likes to discuss seaplane, bullet trains but skips fundamental issues, like that of Karnataka’s farmers. “The Congress party has given Rs 8,000 crore to the farmers. How much money has the Prime Minister given to the farmers of Karnataka,” he asked.

6) Gandhi took on the PM for his promise to fight corruption. “On his stage is Yeddyuruppa, his chief ministerial candidate, who has been in jail and Reddy brothers, who have stolen as much money from Karnataka as the Congress party gave to MGNREGA, which is Rs 35,000 crore.”

7) On being questioned for visiting temples and mutts, Gandhi said as a leader of a political party, it is his job to stand with people. “So, whoever invites me to whichever institution, I go. The BJP becomes very uncomfortable when I go to a temple.”

8)  Criticising the BJP for calling him ‘Election Hindu’, Gandhi said, “Because the term Hindu is a perspective, it is a viewpoint and it is something that is in the heart, it is imbibed and it lives with you throughout. So, the statement ‘Election Hindu’ is a demonstration of how they view their religion. I do not view my religion like that.”

9) On the central government’s China policy, Gandhi said, “We are in an environment where we have to manage our foreign policy with extreme care, and I am very passionate (about China issue). I see fundamental blunders being made (on that front).” Citing examples of how Chinese troops were being part of Pakistan Republic Day parade and Russia was supplying weapons to Pakistan, Gandhi said, “There is a disaster that is being created on the foreign policy and it is dangerous for the country. That is why you are hearing slightly louder expressions from my side.”

10) Slamming PM Modi for not discussing important foreign policy decisions with his ministers, the Congress president said, “Our foreign policy has been completely decimated across the board… and it is because the Prime Minister views foreign policy as an individual exercise. He is under the impression that he can go and have a personal conversation with the President of China or the President of Nepal and everything will magically happen.” Gandhi said the prime minister needs to take into account the extremely talented people who are sitting in the Foreign Ministry. “The PM needs to carry his own people with him. Are there any conversations going on with the Finance Minister, with the Defence Minister about strategy – No. It is a one man show,” he added.

11) On petrol, diesel prices, Gandhi said, “During the Congress regime, the price of crude oil was US$140 per barrel. Today that price is hovering around US$ 70 per barrel. Huge amount of money is being saved by the Government of India. The Government of India can choose as to whom to give this money to. The Congress party spent that money in schemes like MGNREGA, schemes like farm loan waiver, which were pro-people schemes. The BJP has simply taken that money lakhs of crores and given it to their friends.”