MANDYA: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Friday launched a scathing attack on both the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular), charging that both were dynastic and corrupt parties. He also called upon the voters to reject both parties in the Old Mysuru region which has been a stronghold of the two opposition parties.
Addressing the Jan Sankalp Yatra here on Friday, Shah said if the Congress comes to power in the state, it wil turn Karnataka into an ATM for Delhi (Gandhi family) and if the JD(S) comes to power, it will turn the state into an ATM for one family. Both parties are communal and have sheltered criminals, he charged.
It is the BJP which made two Dalits and Presidents and is working for the welfare of the oppressed, Dalits and the poor. A grand Ram Mandir will be completed in 2024. Neither the Congress nor the JD(S) have worked for the betterment of the Old Mysuru region and it is only the BJP which had done noticeable work, Amit Shah alleged.
The Union minister began his speech by stating that the whole country is with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his grief and invoked the blessings of Lord Cheluvanarayanaswamy, Kalabhairaveshwara, Narasimha Swamy and Ranganatha Swamy. He also mentioned the names of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, Sir M Visvesvaraya and Adichunchanagir Mutt seer Balagangadharanatha Swami. However, party spokesperson Mahesh, who was translating the speech, forgot to mention the name of Lord Narasimha Swamy, inviting Shah’s anger.
He had earlier instructed the BJP spokesperson to translate only what he says and not to add anything else. However, when Amit Shah asked the crowd as to how many had taken two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and to raise their hands, Mahesh translated it to ask how many had got the benefit of the Prime Minister’s vaccination scheme.
Shah also mentioned that Mandya is the home district of senior leader B S Yediyurappa and added that the latter was abroad and had spoken to him about his programme. He also lauded the governments headed by Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai saying that they had been undertaking development works. Shah refused to accept a felicitation of a Mysuru peta and a silver model of the Statue of Unity, presented by Excise Minister Gopalaiah, saying that it was not the occasion to do so. He also did not offer floral tributes to a portrait of Heeraben saying it was a party event. He later left for Bengaluru by helicopter.
Earlier in the day, the Union minister inaugurated the Mega Dairy of Mandya Milk Union Ltd (Manmul) at Gejjalagere in Mandya district. His cabinet colleague Pralhad Joshi translated his speech.
Speaking on the occasion, Shah said he would not let injustice happen to cooperatives or farmers. He also suggested that Amul of Gujarat and Nandini of Karnataka should find ways to collaborate and assured that his ministry will facilitate such partnership.
Praising the Basavaraj Bommai government and the Manmul president, Shah pointed out that 52 lakh litres of milk are being give to children of anganwadi kendras. The milk federation, which had a turnover of Rs 4 crore, now does business of Rs 25 crore and deposits money directly in the accounts of 36 lakh farmers. Amul and Nandini should come together and set up two lakh primary dairies in all panchayats through the NDDB and export milk and milk products, he suggested.
Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, former CMs B S Yediyurappa, Siddaramaiah and S M Krishna were special invitees. Deve Gowda, who was present at the event, said he was not there to indulge in politics and added that he came to the event on an invitation from Manmul.
The mega dairy, built at a cost of Rs 260.9 crore and spread over 47 acres, can process 10-14 lakh litres of milk daily, produce 30 tons of milk powder and pack 2 lakh litres of UHD milk. It can also produce other milk products like butter, ghee, curd, butter milk, peda, burfi, kova, ladoo and will benefit 99,000 farmers.
The entire city had turned saffron for Shah’s visit with banners, buntings and flags everywhere.