'Speeches cannot fill empty stomachs, create jobs': Sonia goes all out against 'actor' Modi

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi addresses a public rally in Karnataka's Bijapur. Photo: Twitter/INCINDIA

BIJAPUR: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi returned to the campaign trail almost after two years and addressed an election rally in Karnataka's Bijapur on Tuesday. In her speech, Sonia praised the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government for "working for development" of Karnataka and accused the Centre of being biased against the southern state. Making Prime Minister Narendra Modi the focal point of her attack, Sonia said he distorts the historical facts and uses names of the national heroes for his party's political motives. "Wherever Modijii goes he says wrong things and distorts historical facts. He uses the names of heroes from our history for his political motives," Sonia said.

The country is shocked at PM Modi's wrongful statements and at his attempts at using the legacy of our freedom fighters for political gains: UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi #INC4Karnataka #MahilaParaCongress

— Congress (@INCIndia) May 8, 2018

Modi, Sonia said, may be a good orator but his speeches cannot fill empty stomachs or create employment. "Modiji is proud of the fact that he is a very good orator, I agree with this. He speaks like an actor. I'll be happy if his speeches can end hunger of the country but speeches cannot fill empty stomachs, food is needed for that," the former Congress president said. She said Modi is "obsessed" with his talk of "Congress-mukt bharat" (Congress-free India) and cannot tolerate anyone in front of him. Hitting out at the Centre for being "biased" towards the Congress government in the state, Sonia said: "All states that suffered drought were given compensation (by the Centre), Karnataka was provided with the least. This was like rubbing salting into the wounds of the farmers. I ask Modiji, is this your 'sabka-saath, sabka-vikas'."

We have worked tirelessly for the poor. We started Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme which was objected by the BJP & by Modi Ji: Sonia Gandhi in Bijapur #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/qFvyPsSib6

— ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2018

Sonia asked Modi to tell the countrymen what happened to the institution of Lok Pal, the anti-graft watchdog that was proposed to be set up. Praising the Siddaramaiah government, Sonia said it has made Karnataka country's top-ranked state. "We helped Karnataka emerge as India's no. 1 state and initiated various welfare schemes like Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya, Krishi Yantra Dhare for people. The state government has ensured food for all," she said.

We helped Karnataka emerge as India's No. 1 state and initiated various welfare schemes like Anna Bhagya, Ksheera Bhagya, Krishi Yantra Dhare for people. The @siddaramaiah Govt has ensured food for all: UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi #INC4Karnataka #MahilaParaCongress

— Congress (@INCIndia) May 8, 2018

"It is disappointing to note that Congress opponents are mocking the schemes initiated for the welfare of the poor," she added. Karnataka will hold elections for its 224-seat assembly on May 12 and the result will be announced three days later. The Congress in 2013 had won a massive 113 seats while B JP and JDS had won 50 and 40 seats respectively.