Elections 2019: PM Modi rakes nationalism to target Kumaraswamy in Karnataka
- The BJP has made national security as it's biggest platforms and made it the first promise in its manifesto as well
- The party has been trying to drum up support after the cross border air strikes to help it get another term in office
Bengaluru: Prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday targeted Karnataka CM H.D.Kumaraswamy over the latter's comments, that was interpreted as "only those who did not have food to eat would join the armed forces."
Modi did not spare the opportunity to target the opposition over national security, that lends itself as one of the most important poll platform of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the run up to the parliamentary elections, scheduled to commence from 18 April in Karnataka.
"You cannot hide stating that the meaning of your statement has been twisted,"Modi said at Gangavati in Koppal, around 380 km from Bengaluru .
Kumaraswamy had already clarified that his statements were being twisted.
"Despite clarifying on the false post by @BJP4Karnataka, PM @narendramodi still gets carried away by wrong inputs of state leaders. The PM is using the patriotism of soldiers for his gain. He rides on such emotional waves because there are no development issues to talk about," Kumaraswamy wrote on Twitter on Friday.
The post included a video of the speech that has given ammunition to the BJP to attack the Congress. And Modi making the most of it.
"This kind of thinking is the reason for parties like JD(S), Congress and Mahamilawat (Mahagathbandhan or grand alliance) that they don't give any importance for the nation's security," Modi said while adding that those who insult the nation must drown and die.
The BJP has made national security as it's biggest platforms and made it the first promise in its manifesto as well. The party has been trying to drum up support after the cross border air strikes to help it get another term in office. Opposition parties have criticised the Modi government of politicizing the armed forces for electoral benefits.
The BJP is taking on the combined might of the JDS-Congress coalition in Karnataka.
Modi also taking aim at the family of his predecessor H.D.Deve Gowda over dynasty politics. The PM targeted public works department minister H.D.Revanna who had earlier said that he would retire from politics if Modi became PM again.
"In 2014, when Deve Gowda was contesting, he said that he will retire if Modi becomes PM. Did he retire," he asked the crowd that reponded with a resounding no.
"Instead they have been giving others in the family also tickets to contest," he said referring to the two grandsons of Gowda who are making their electoral debut in the upcoming polls.
"Nation first or family first. This is an election to determine this," he said. He said both Congress and JD(S) were promoting only its families.
The BJP has been relentless in its attacks, calling the Congress a party of dynasts, ignoring that several of its own leaders have promoted family members into various roles within the party or have been given tickets to contest the polls.
The BJP is hoping that the discord between the Congress and JD(S), who share a bitter and violent past, will benefit the saffron outfit.
Modi and the BJP has targeted the coalition government in Karnataka over the yet-to-be implemented farm loan waiver and corruption among other issues.
Modi even took a dig at celebrating the birth anniversary of controversial ruler of Mysuru, Tipu Sultan. "They have money to celebrate (Tipu) Sultan's birthday but no money for Hampi's glory," he said.
Catch all the live action on Elections and get exclusive coverage on Assembly Election Results 2024 with Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
Business NewsElections 2019Lok Sabha Elections 2019Elections 2019: PM Modi rakes nationalism to target Kumaraswamy in Karnataka
First Published:12 Apr 2019, 08:13 PM IST
- Top Gainers
- Top Losers
- 52 Week High