BENGALURU: PM Narendra Modi wrapped up his Karnataka campaign Sunday with an 8km saffron sweep of Bengaluru’s eastern corridor and the central business district, followed by one last swipe at Congress in Shivamogga, where he asked first-time voters if they wanted to end up struggling “like your grandfathers and fathers” or improve their quality of life by backing BJP.
“Think about development and tell me if Congress can put Karnataka on the path to development. It is a corrupt party that indulges in appeasement politics,” Modi said at Hosanagar. “I won’t watch you face the difficulties your elders did. I will remove these hardships and clear the path to allow you to march on,” he promised.
On Congress’ poll promise of creating 10 lakh jobs, he said, “In three-and-a-half years, the BJP government has created 13 lakh jobs in the state. This is how they (Congress) try to fool people. Its misinformation machinery spreads canards.”
A translator was at hand to repeat in Kannada what the PM said, but his services weren’t required as the crowd signalled they wanted to hear only one person. Amid chanting of his name, Modi bowed to the gathering and said, “Language isn’t a barrier between you and me.”
Former CM BS Yediyurappa, ex-minister KS Eshwarappa, Shivamogga MP BY Raghavendra and seven candidates from Shivamogga attended the rally.
In Bengaluru, an estimated two lakh supporters lined the roadshow route during the last leg of Modi’s campaign tour of the city.
Union home minister Amit Shah held roadshows in Doddaballapur and Anekal during the day.