Ahead of the Karnataka elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Congress during a public meeting in Belagavi on Monday, accusing the party of ignoring veteran leader Mallikarjun Kharge. PM Modi claimed that the Congress had insulted Kharge, who hails from Karnataka. "I have great respect for Mallikarjun Kharge, but the Congress has none. Right now, the Congress session is going on. He is the seniormost leader... It was sunny, but Kharge ji did not even get an umbrella in the harsh sun. The umbrella was meant for someone else. The public has now understood, in whose hands the remote control is," PM Modi said.
PM Modi added that the Congress has insulted Karnataka and its leaders, whereas the BJP government has transferred a significant amount of money to farmers' bank accounts without any middlemen or corruption. "Mallikarjun Kharge has served the public in whatever way possible...I was disheartened to see how the most senior leader, the president of Congress has been disrespected by them...The world knows who has the remote control," PM Modi was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
PM Modi also referred to the latest instalment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, which was sent from Belagavi, providing over Rs 16,800 crore to more than eight crore farmers in the country. The PM stated that the BJP government prioritises small farmers, as they were neglected for decades. He said that over Rs 2.5 lakh crore have been deposited in the accounts of small farmers, with more than Rs 50 thousand crore disbursed to women.
PM Modi said that the government is focusing on the development of agriculture, industry, tourism, education, and health, with an emphasis on connectivity. He claimed that the railway projects worth Rs 45 thousand crore would create employment opportunities for many people in Karnataka. Modi praised Belagavi for inspiring the government to work hard day and night.