Bengaluru, May 11 (PTI) Alleging “hypocrisy” in PM Narendra Modi’s speech, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday asked him to come better prepared next time he makes allegations against the Congress government in the state.
Claiming that the BJP’s condition in Karnataka has become like “crabs trapped in a basket,” Siddaramaiah said party leaders are pulling each other down and engaging in “political harakiri (suicide).” Urging Modi to first secure his own “collapsing house,” he said, “Speak about us after that.” The CM was reacting to Modi, who on Sunday attacked the Congress, accusing it of “failing” to provide good governance due to internal power struggles in Karnataka and “betraying” people. He claimed it has become a “parasite party” today.
“Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi must clarify whether his speech in Bengaluru on Sunday was delivered as the PM of the country, the state BJP president, or the leader of the opposition in Karnataka. He must clear the confusion that has arisen in the minds of the people,” Siddaramaiah said in a post on X.
Although the PM addressed the Congress government in the state, Siddaramaiah said his remarks reflected the failure of his own government at the Centre and his inability to address the poor condition of his party in Karnataka.
“His speech also carried the hypocrisy of a person who ignores the elephant lying dead on his own plate while searching for a dead fly on someone else’s plate,” he said.
Stating that prime ministers of the country, including Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, never stooped to street-style speeches or abused Opposition parties like petty politicians, Siddaramaiah said Modi was “destroying the dignity, seriousness and propriety of the Prime Minister’s office through speeches filled with lies, poor taste, hatred and jealousy.” He added that Modi, who came to Bengaluru, appeared to still be in the hangover of election rallies in five states.
The CM noted that the prime minister, who had claimed India would become a 5 trillion-dollar economy by 2024–25 and that poverty had been eradicated, is now asking people to reduce gold purchases, limit fuel consumption, avoid foreign travel, and cut fertiliser use.
“PM Modi must clarify what kind of development this reflects,” he said, adding that people are facing rising fuel, cooking gas, and edible oil prices due to the country’s “confused foreign policy.” “India is now caught in the middle of the war being jointly waged by Israel and the United States against Iran. Had India taken a firm stand on the side of justice and morality, the country would not be facing this situation today,” he added.
Siddaramaiah further questioned, “Mr Modi, whom will you blame for this failure? Jawaharlal Nehru? The Congress party? Please answer.” Emphasising that the Centre is trying to shield people from the adverse impact of the West Asia conflict, Modi on Sunday in Hyderabad called for judicious use of fuel, postponement of gold purchases, and reduced foreign travel to strengthen the economy.
Siddaramaiah said Karnataka’s economic condition is strong under the Congress government, noting that while India’s per capita income is Rs 2.11 lakh, Karnataka’s is Rs 4.33 lakh. India’s GDP growth rate is 7.4 per cent, while Karnataka’s is 8.1 per cent. Karnataka contributes 9.19 per cent to the national GDP and is the second-largest contributor to GST collections after Maharashtra.
“Prime minister, what more proof do you need that Karnataka is moving rapidly on the path of development?” he asked, adding, “The next time you make allegations against our government, please come better prepared. False statements do not befit the PM of the country.” He also said that had Modi remembered the history of betrayals by his own party, he would not have accused the Congress of betrayal.
“The list of regional parties that allied with the BJP and were later betrayed continues to grow—BSP, TMC, DMK, AIADMK, PDP, Shiv Sena, Akali Dal, National Conference, and many others. On the other hand, the list of opposition leaders who were allegedly pressured into leaving their parties and joining the BJP is also growing,” he said.
The people of the country are “laughing at the irony” of Modi, the leader of such a party, accusing the Congress of betrayal, he said.
He added that there are “multiple factions” within the party opposing former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and his family. PTI KSU SSK
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