Karnataka polls 2023 Highlights: State to begin silence period

The campaign for the high-profile Karnataka assembly elections 2023 is set to end at 5 pm on Monday. For the past few days, the poll-bound state witnessed star campaigners from all three major political parties - BJP, Congress and JD(S) - holding mega rallies and road shows in a bid to woo the voters.

During a political campaign, the BJP focused on national issues and the achievements of the union government, while centering their campaign around Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the concept of a "double-engine" government.

The Congress, on the other hand, mainly focused on local issues and was led by local leaders initially, but later joined by central leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The JD(S) ran a localized campaign anchored by H D Kumaraswamy, with party patriarch Deve Gowda joining despite his advanced age and related ailments.

Karnataka is slated to enter the silence period before the high stakes polling slated to be held on 10 May. The Elections Commission of India notified political parties and media houses of a ‘clear and serious campaign’.

READ MORE HERE.

Election Commission asks political parties to refrain from making unverified claims during poll campaign (PTI)

We will win the elections by full majority or at least half a mark plus 15 seats. In these 4 years, Yediyurappa & Bommai government has done a lot of work. Congress gives false promises everywhere & loses elections. They take support of SDPI & PFI which Karnataka's people don't like and are furious about it: Union Home Minister Amit Shah at a roadshow in Dodballapura

With the three major political parties in the state – BJP, Congress and JD(S) – busy making their last pitch to woo the voters, the political campaign for the 10 May Assembly elections in Karnataka will come to an end on 8 May.

In the last few days, political parties have organised a numerous campaign blitz across the state to garner attention of the voters. This time, BJP is trying to break the 38-year-old pattern of alternating governments and retain its southern citadel.

While on the other side, Congress is wrestling to get back in power again as it would boost the morale of the party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

Wanting to emerge as 'king' and not 'kingmaker', the JD(S) led by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda was seen putting all its might into campaigning. It is hoping to get required numbers to form a government on its own.

In the 224-member Assembly in Karnataka, parties are aiming at 'government with full majority'. READ MORE HERE

Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar said, “Himanta Biswa Sarma's DNA is Congress DNA. He should know that his blood is Congress' blood, Gandhi's blood. Now he has changed his blood.”

Addressin a political rally Anekal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed BJP over corruption in Karnataka and said, “Scams are everywhere you look. MLA's son is caught with 8 crores & BJP's MLA says that CM's chair can be bought for ₹2500 crores. The corruption that happened in Karnataka is known to a 6-year-old child. There is a BJP government here since last 3 years & PM Modi would also know about the corruption in Karnataka. You had said that the double engine was stolen, so Modi Ji, tell me which engine got how much of the 40%?”

Addressing a election rally, PM Modi said in Mysuru: “This election is about creating a new history. This election is about making Karnataka the number one state in the country.”

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra while addressing at a public meeting in Moodbidri, Karnataka, said, "PM Narendra Modi Ji if there's violence in Karnataka it is because of unemployment, if there's violence in Karnataka it is because of your 40% commission Government. Earlier there were 4 different banks, Corporation Bank, Vijaya Bank, Syndicate Bank & Canara Bank, & now because of this government today all have merged into one bank"

Addressing a poll campaign in Shivamogga, PM Modi said, “Both politics and development work of Congress are only on paper. They can never develop Karnataka. They are just peddling lies. Women of Karnataka were completely neglected by the Congress govt in past. They have done no development work for the farmers. BJP has worked for the farmers of the state. Now all the lies of Congress are fully exposed and BJP will form govt with full majority.”

He added, “Girls' education and women's empowerment were pushed back during the Congress rule. Congress did not make separate toilets for girls in schools, and girls used to drop out because of this, but BJP campaigned to remove the injustice done to girls and today more and more girls are going to school.”

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel criticized Himanta Biswa Sarma for leaving the Congress party and accused him of being excessively greedy.

While speaking to ANI in Bengaluru on Sunday, Baghel said, “Himanta Biswa Sarma changed his party. No one is greedy as much as he is. Congress party has given him the identity... What is his morality to accuse Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.”

Earlier in the day, Sarma verbally attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and said that Sonia Gandhi is fighting alone for 20 years to make Rahul Gandhi stand. 

“Rahul Gandhi is giving a guarantee to the people of Karnataka, but who will take the guarantee of Rahul Gandhi? Sonia Gandhi has been fighting alone for the last 20 years to make Rahul Gandhi stand, and now this person (Rahul Gandhi) comes and gives a guarantee to the people of Karnataka,” added Sarma.

Congress leader Jagadish Shettar stated that he is receiving more support this time, and he is confident of winning by a significant margin in the Karnataka Assembly elections.

Speaking to ANI, Shettar said, “This time, people's blessings are with me. More people are coming to support me. So, I will win by a huge margin. Sonia Gandhi's and Rahul Gandhi's presence has definitely given us a boost.”

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel criticized PM Modi for being focused on election campaigns in Karnataka and not addressing the ongoing crisis in the Northeast and the deaths of soldiers.

Baghel noted, "PM is busy doing campaigns in Karnataka. The Northeast is burning, and soldiers are dying, but PM is not saying anything. There is no discussion on what they will do in the interest of the people of Karnataka, they are just campaigning and seeking votes

Union Home Minister Amit Shah holds a roadshow in Belagavi South Assembly constituency

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while addressing a gathering in Mangaluru, Karnataka, questioned Rahul Gandhi's credibility and stated that while Rahul is giving guarantees to the people of Karnataka, it is uncertain who can vouch for his own promises.

Catch glimpses of Modi's roadshow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds roadshow in Bengaluru ahead of Karnataka Assembly Election

Ahead of the assembly polls, Karnataka Veerashaiva Lingayat Forum has extended its support to the Congress party. According to the news agency ANI, the forum further urged Lingayat people to vote to the Congress people.

The senior Congress leader even met Lingayat leaders at Hubballi on Sunday morning along with former CM Jagadish Shettar.

Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde will campaign for the BJP for the May 10 Karnataka assembly elections.

Shinde will be in the state on Monday and participate in two BJP roadshows at Kapu and Udupi town, party sources said.

Before reaching Udupi, Shinde will visit the Sri Manjunatha Swamy Temple. He will then meet the Dharmasthala temple's Dharmadhikari, Veerendra Hegde, they said.

The chief minister will also visit the Sri Krishna Temple in Udupi and on Monday itself, return to Maharashtra, the sources said.

Dharmendra Pradhan will hold a roadshow on Sunday and campaign for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Tankadhar Tripathy for forthcoming Jharsuguda by-election on May 10.

Bypolls are scheduled to be held in Punjab's Lok Sabha constituency of Jalandhar (SC) and Odisha's Assembly constituency of Jharsuguda on May 10, the results of which will be declared on May 13, coinciding with those of Assembly elections in Karnataka.

BJP has planned to coroner ruling Biju Janta Dal (BJD) and Congress party in forthcoming Jharsuguda bypolls.

Ahead of the by-poll, Pradhan is scheduled to attend a massive public meeting at Jhirlapalli gram panchayat under Kolabira block and a roadshow at Jharsuguda town to support party candidate Tankadhar Tripathy in the presence of several senior party leaders.

With just three days left for the Karnataka Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold part 2 of the massive roadshow in Bengaluru on Sunday, 7 May. However, today, the roadshow will be on a shorter route due to the NEET entrance exam.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Modi will hold a roadshow in poll-bound Karnataka on a 10-km stretch between the Kempegowda statue at Thippasandra to Trinity Circle in Bengaluru. Read here

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda on Saturday said that the Congress shows no concern about problems in the country and is more interested in appeasement politics for votes.

The BJP chief said that Congress has no interest in the welfare of the society or the problems prevailing in the country but is only interested in vote bank politics.

EC issues notice to Karnataka Cong on 'corruption rate card' advertisement, seeks empirical evidence to prove allegations.

The Congress on Saturday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "master of distortion" and accused him of caring only for his "grand tamasha" and not the inconvenience caused by his 26-km roadshow in Bengaluru.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged ambulances were stuck on roads due to the chaos caused by the roadshow and said that Modi should cancel the second part of the roadshow slated for Sunday.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a roadshow in Belagavi's Chikkodi area on Saturday. Amit Shah was seated in a specially designed vehicle and he greeted the people who had gathered there.

During the roadshow, the BJP supporters and party workers were queued up throughout the road from where the cavalcade was passing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that BJP is the only party that can fulfil aspirations of people in Karnataka.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a swipe at former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for leaving Badami. 

PM Modi said, “I want the people of Karnataka to ask Siddaramaiah that why the poor people of this area were deprived of all the facilities.”

PM Narendra Modi while addressing the public in Badami, Karnataka, said that around 3 lakh families of Bagalkote got tap water facility for the first time because of double engine government.

Adressing the public in Chikkodi, Belagavi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “BJP had removed 4% Muslim reservation, and increased reservation of Lingayats & SC, ST. Congress party says that if they come to power they will bring back 6% reservation for Muslims. This will decrease reservation of Lingayats & SC, if Karnataka doesn't want this they must vote for the BJP government.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that before 2014, during the Congress government, 1GB (mobile phone) data cost around ₹300. “In the BJP government, the cost of 1GB data has come down to ₹10.”

PM Narendra Modi addressing public in Badami, Karnataka, said that Siddaramaiah has left this constituency because he has understood the wave. 

“I want the people of Karnataka to ask Siddaramaiah that why the poor people of this area were deprived of all the facilities. Around 3 lakh families of Bagalkote got tap water facility for the first time because of double engine government.”

While addressing a public rally, PM Modi said, “Congress will not leave the old habit of appeasement politics, vote bank politics, closing the schemes of the BJP govt and abusing the Lingayat & OBC community and then if they have nothing to do then abusing PM Modi. The whole of Karnataka is sad with Congress' diplomacy.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that BJP's "double-engine" government has been working on bringing in development without discrimination.

PM made this remark while speaking at a public rally in Badami.

The Income Tax Department has seized ₹15 crore cash and ₹five crore worth jewellery after rauds at multiple locations in Bengaluru and Mysuru, targeting a few financiers who have allegedly mobilised resources for funding candidates in the May 10 Karnataka Assembly elections, sources in the I-T department said on Saturday.  

BJP national president JP Nadda held a roadshow in Chintamani in Chikkaballapura district, Karnataka.

Karnataka CM Bommai on Saturday said an investigation would be conducted to find out the authenticity of the audio recording regarding the alleged plot to kill Congress President M Mallikarjun Kharge and his family.

 “I do not know about the audio. That will be investigated. We will take it seriously and get it investigated," he said. (PTI)

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that Congress is playing with the Hindu faith. 

Yogi was addressing a public gathering in Chikmagalur, Karnataka. Yogi added, “Congress is playing with Hindu faith by talking about banning Bajrang Dal.”

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma holds a roadshow in Shanivarasanthe Madikeri in the Kodagu district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday shared some glimpses of his roadshow in Bengaluru ahead of Assembly Elections.
Taking to Twitter, Modi said, "If only words could describe what I just saw in Bengaluru! I bow to the people of this vibrant city for showering me with affection that I will cherish for my entire life."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that it's clear that Bengaluru wants the BJP. 

“It is clear Bengaluru wants BJP. This city believes that our Party will continue delivering on good governance and development,” tweeted PM Modi.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said, “BJP has worked for the farmers here. We have given several benefits to the farmers. Congress insulted Savarkar. But BJP developed the Marathas and respected them...PM Modi fulfilled the dreams of Lord Ram devotees by constructing the Ram temple in Ayodhya.”

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed a crowd in Karnataka's Gonikoppa and slammed state Congress chief DK Shivakumar, saying that he is a family member of 17th Century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan.

"DK Shivakumar is a family member of Tipu Sultan. If Congress will regain power, Karnataka will become a PFI valley," he said.

Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar on Saturday claimed that the party will win over 140 seats in the upcoming assembly polls.

“Congress will win over 140 seats in Karnataka assembly polls; BJP will be reduced to less than 60. Win in Karnataka will open doors for party for Lok Sabha polls, people of state will give a message to the country,” he said.