Congress government to exit Karnataka: Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Modi took on the Siddaramaiah rule dubbing it a "10 per cent commission government." Pic/PTI

In a stinging attack on the Siddaramaiah government on all fronts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday accused it of setting new records in corruption and asserted that the countdown for its exit has begun. "The Congress government is at the exit gate," Modi told a huge public rally here, as he took on the Siddaramaiah rule dubbing it a "10 per cent commission government."

Chiding the government on the law and order front, he said, "instead of the rule of law, the criminals are ruling the roost." The rally at the sprawling Palace Grounds marked the culmination of the state BJP's 85-day "Parivarthana Yatra" that crisscrossed all 224 assembly constituencies and virtually sounded the bugle for the coming Assembly polls in the state, due early this year. The BJP has set a 150-plus seats mission.

"Congress government is a 10 per cent government, where no work happens without paying a commission of 10 per cent. It is a matter of shame if this becomes the identity of a government," he said.

Charging the state with setting new records in corruption, Modi said "Congress free government means freedom from dynastic rule, nepotism, corruption and loot." Referring to a spate of killings of activists of BJP and the Sangh Parivar, he said, "It is an assault on the social fabric. I appeal to the people of Karnataka to vote against the government which attacks the social fabric of the state.

"I am seeing that Karnataka has decided to free the state from Congress. To free from Congress' culture, from society, from public life, from politics." The Congress had "ruined" the society, culture and politics, he said, adding, "I can see that the BJP government in Karnataka is not far away."

Students sell Modi pakodas
A group of college students, donning degree robes and selling 'pakodas' to passers-by in a dig at PM Modi's remarks over job creation, were whisked away by the police, hours before the rally. They sold 'Modi Pakodas', 'Amit Shah Pakoda' and 'Dr Yeddy Pakodas'.

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