Congress leader Rahul Gandhi campaigning in Shivajinagar on Sunday. , Photo credit: Sudhakar Jain
Congress leaders including Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, M. Mallikarjun Kharge and others held roadshows and addressed rallies in various parts of the state as political campaigning reached its peak on Sunday ahead of the May 10 elections.
Speaking in Mulki on the outskirts of Mangaluru, Ms Gandhi urged people not to get carried away by communally sensitive issues raised by the Bharatiya Janata Party to hide alleged mismanagement in Karnataka.
She said she was surprised to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking about terrorism and national security at the same venue two days ago. “I do not say that these issues are not important. These issues are close to the heart of the people.
He said people were worried about the allegation of ‘40% commission’ by contractors’ association, religious heads and representatives of educational institutions. He said that this allegation of corruption has seriously damaged the image of Karnataka.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi was addressing an election rally at Kolnadu in Mulki near Mangaluru on Sunday. , Photo Credit: HS Manjunath
People were also worried about inflation, which has increased manifold in the last four years. The cost of a domestic gas cylinder is Rs 1,100. The prices of pulses, vegetables, diesel and petrol have also increased. Unemployment was also a concern. He said that employment has decreased in Karnataka in the last three years and more than 2.5 lakh government posts are vacant.
“Parties think that they can avoid issues of corruption, unemployment and price rise by raising communally sensitive issues that raise the sentiments of the people. They seek votes on these emotional issues and win elections, not work on important issues This practice should be ended,” she said.
In Bengaluru, he visited Mahadevapura and Bengaluru South constituencies later in the day.
Kharge threatened
Shri Gandhi participated in rallies at Shivajinagar and Anekal. Speaking at Anekal, he wondered why Mr. Modi did not tell Mr. Kharge about the threats allegedly given to Mr. Kharge by the BJP party candidate in Kalaburagi, while accusing the Congress of promoting terrorism Was. “I have lost two members of my family in acts of terrorism. Do you want to teach about terrorism? You should respond to your party man’s threat to Mr Kharge,” he said.
Speaking in Kamlapur, Mr Kharge said he would not be cowed down by any threat. He said, ‘The MPs elected from this region do not have the freedom to present their demands before Modi ji. Everything is centralized. Modiji does not even talk to him. They watch Modiji from a distance like Doordarshan. Those who have power do not have the ability to speak and those who can speak do not have power. Then how will there be any progress in Karnataka?