BELAGAVI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday hit out at Congress while highlighting the achievements of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and said that the double engine government in Karnataka has worked for the benefit of the people.
Shah started off his speech immediately after arriving on stage as he was already two hours behind schedule. He had rushed back to Delhi to monitor the Manipur situation where largescale violence had broken out.
Addressing a rally at Saundatti, Shah said the JD(S)-Congress government had delayed sending a list of eligible beneficiaries for the Kisan Samman Yojana. The support price for sugarcane has been increased and after the completion of the Bhadra and Upper Krishna projects, farmers will be able to grow two crops a year, he said.
Shah taunted the Congress saying that it remembers mutts only during elections and noted that the BJP government had set up a separate board for it. He said the Congress had given 4 per cent OBC reservation for Muslims which has now been given to Lingayats and Vokkaligas. “The Congress says they will give 6 per cent reservation for Muslims for the sake of appeasement and votebank politics. Whose reservation will they snatch for doing that? The Congress will not come to power.
He said PM Modi fulfilled the dreams of Lord Ram devotees by constructing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. “BJP has worked for the farmers here. We have given several benefits to the farmers. Congress insulted Savarkar. But the BJP developed the Marathas and respected them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfilled the dreams of the devotees of Lord Ram by constructing the Ram temple in Ayodhya”, he said.
He also said the Congress demanded to know the date of birth of Lord Hanuman whereas the entire country knows about Hanuman Jayanti and added that the party insulted Lord Bajrang Bali. “It’s BJP government which banned Popular Front of India”, Shah said.
Shah said that no one has trust in Rahul Gandhi’s guarantees, adding they (Congress) were defeated in states like Tripura, Assam, and Nagaland. “The BJP gave ration to the public, gave water facilities and health facilities. The double-engine government has worked for the benefit of the people,” Shah said.
“They called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a poisonous snake. The people should show them what their level is and what the Congress’ level is”. He also sought an assurance from the crowd of ensuring the victory of his ‘sister’ Ratna Mamani in the upcoming poll.
Later, Ratna Mamani shed tears, recalling her late husband Anand Mamani, and said that she had to face a lot of difficulties. She also said she would reply to her detractors on May 13, when the results are announced.
Amit Shah also addressed a rally at Athani where he attacked Laxman Savadi who switched over to Congress after he was denied a ticket for the Assembly election. “Athanai was not on my schedule, but I came here to ensure the victory of Mahesh Kumathalli”, he said.
In Raibagh, Shah held a roadshow from Ambedkar Circle to Diggewadi Road and campaigned form Duryodhan Aihole. In Chikkodi, he addressed a rally and said that in 2018, the BJP had got less seats in the district and appealed to voters to ensure that all 18 seats in Belagavi elect BJP candidates. While concluding his speech, Shah too raised ‘Jai Bajrang Bali’ slogans.