Belagavi (Karnataka):
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of insulting India's Rajas and Maharajas but remained silent on the atrocities committed by Nawabs, Nizams, Sultans and Badshahs for the sake of appeasement politics.
He also continued his attack on the Congress over the “inheritance tax” issue and targeted the party's government in Karnataka over law and order issues.
The BJP is working to increase the wealth of the people, but Congress' Shahzade (Rahul Gandhi) and his sister (Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) both announce that if they come to power, they will “x-ray” the power of the people. country, Prime Minister Modi said.
“They will x-ray your properties, bank lockers, lands, vehicles, also 'Streedhan' and women's jewellery, gold, the Mangalsutra. These people will raid every house and confiscate your property. After the seizure, they will talk about redistributing it , they want it to be given to their beloved vote bank…will you allow this loot to happen?” he asked.
There is widespread support for the NDA across Karnataka. Speech at a large gathering in Belagavi. Watch. https://t.co/OVJdH0q3kf
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 28, 2024
“I want to warn the Congress,” Prime Minister Modi said, asserting that “leave this intention aside. Until Modi is alive, I will not allow it…”
Addressing a mega public meeting here, he said, “Congress has secured the scriptures of our history and our freedom struggle for the purpose of reconciliation and vote bank. Even today, the shehzade (prince) of Congress continues this sin. I have heard the recent statement of the Congress Shehzade – he says that the rajas and maharajas of Bharat were atyachari (oppressive).”
“He (Gandhi) has accused them (Rajas and Maharajas) of usurping the land and property of people and poor…The Congress shehzade has insulted great personalities like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Kittur Rani Channamma, whose rule and patriotism inspire us even today,” the Prime Minister said.
Recalling the contribution of the erstwhile Mysuru royal family for which they are respected across the country even today, he said, “The Congress statements were deliberate, aimed at vote bank politics and appeasement.” “Shahzade spoke ill of Raja, Maharajas, but the Shahzade's mouth was closed about the 'atyachar' that Nawabs, Nizams, Sultans and Badshahs committed in the history of India. His mouth was closed about them, but about Raja, Maharajas he spoke maliciously and insulted them,” he said.
Noting that Mr Gandhi does not remember the oppression of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, Prime Minister Modi said: “He (Aurangzeb) defiled and destroyed some of our temples. Congress likes to make alliances with parties that praise Aurangzeb… they do not remember people who destroyed our religious places and indulged in killing and killing of cows. They do not remember the Nawab, who played a role in the partition of India.” He further recalled the contributions of the Raja of Banaras in setting up Banaras Hindu University, and Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar in the reconstruction of temples.
“It was the Maharaja of Baroda who had identified Ambedkar's talent… the Congress shehzade does not remember the contributions of Rajas and Maharajas. As a vote bank, they show the audacity to speak against Rajas and Maharajas but have they didn't do that.” the strength to speak out against the Nawabs, the Sultans and the Badshahs,” he said, adding that the “appeasement mentality” of the Congress has come out in the open before the country and the same is reflected in their manifesto.
Veteran BJP leader BS Yediyurappa, the party's candidate from Belgaum (Belagavi), former Prime Minister Jagadish Shettar, and Chikkodi candidate Annasaheb Shankar Jolle, were among those present.
Ever since the Congress came to power in Karnataka, the law and order situation has deteriorated across the state, PM Modi claimed, recalling the atrocities against an adivasi woman in Belagavi and the killing of a Jain monk in Chikkodi. These shameful incidents have degraded the pride of Karnataka.
Citing the recent murder of a Hubballi student, Neha Hiremath, in her college premises, which created a “sensation” in the country, he said, the family sought action but the Congress government prioritized reconciliation.
“For them, the lives of daughters like Neha have no value, they only think about their vote bank.” Even when a bomb blast took place in a cafe in Bengaluru, the Congress government initially did not take it seriously; they even initially called it a cylinder explosion. “Why are you – Congress – lying to the people of the country? If you cannot do that, then leave and go home,” PM Modi said.
The Congress, because of the votes, is supporting the banned PFI – the anti-national organization that supported terrorism. “To win one seat in Wayanad, will you surrender to them? The BJP has banned PFI and put its leaders behind bars,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi said the Congress has come up with a 'dangerous' formula of 'inheritance tax' under which the party, in case it comes to power, will tax what a person saves for his children, money or property.
“They (Congress) say you cannot give what you save for your children. If you have to give, you have to pay 55 percent tax on it… in order to distribute to the vote bank, they want to confiscate your assets.” he claimed.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)