“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has no moral right to take Basavanna's name as he does not follow his ideals,” charged AICC chief Rahul Gandhi, who launched the second leg of the “Janaashirvada Yatre” (election rally) in Belagavi, the Lingayat heartland, in Karnataka on Saturday.
Hailing the regional icons and quoting the 12th century social reformer and Lingayat icon Basavanna, Gandhi said, “Basava ji said Eva nammava Eva nammava meaning we are one and god resides in each one of us. The Congress shares this belief. We are a party which follows the ideals of Basavanna. Basavanna said Nudidanthe nade...(Walk the talk) and our government in Karnataka has delivered all the promises made to the people. The BJP, too, speaks of Basavanna and Modi bows to Basavanna. But he follows none of his ideals.”
“Modi had promised to credit Rs 15 lakh each into your accounts, provide two crore jobs and vowed not to allow corruption. But he failed on all fronts. We believe in Nudidante nade.. We had promised farmers we will stand by them. When Modi did not heed to our plea to waive off farm loans, Siddaramaiah responded to my request and waived off Rs 8,000 crore. Modi allocated only Rs 55,000 crore for SC/ST development for whole of India. But Siddaramaiah gave Rs 27,000 crore for SC/STs in Karnataka alone. He gave free rice to the poor. Modi has no right to take Basavanna's name,” said Rahul.
Rahul Gandhi stated that his last trip (during the first leg of Janashrivada rally in Hyderabad-Karnataka region) was special as he got to meet and learn a lot from the people. “Of all my previous visits, my last trip to Karnataka was the best as I got to know the soul of the state and your thoughts. Politicians give speech, but when we tour, we get to learn from people, party workers, farmers... Last time, when I went to Basava ji's parliament, I got a glimpse into the state's legacy. Icons like Gangambike, Akka Mahadevi and Shishunala Shariefa worked to unite people. And in the music world people like Bhimsen Joshi and Mallukarjuna Mansur built harmony,” said Gandhi.
Recalling another of Basavanna's “vachanas” (couplets), Gandhi said there were five principles that Basavanna preached which were being followed by the Congress but was being violated by the BJP.
“Basavanna said don't steal, don't harm others, don't lie, don't get angry. But Modi shares dais with a corrupt Yeddyurappa and four former ministers who were in jail over corruption. Modi who quietly imposed demonestisation and GST is silent over Rafele, Jay Shah's business and Nirav Modi's sacm worth Rs 12,000 crore. Modiji, how did Nirav commit such a huge fraud right under your nose? Talk of violence, your record is before the world. In BJP-ruled states like Gujarat and UP, minorities, dalits and tribals are being attacked. Your party spreads enmity. You lied about bringing back black money,”
Mocking at Modi's recent attacks on the Congress party, Gandhi said, “Wherever you go, you say no development happened before you came to power. Now, it is only you (Modi) who is working hard. Even Gadkari and Sishma ji have become jobless.”
Hailing Siddaramaiah government, Gandhi said, “Last five years, the Siddaramaiah government has given corruption free governance. He added: “If you (people) want to listen to lies or Mann ki Baat go to Modi rally. And if you want to listen to Kaam ki Baat or the truth, come to us. Support a government that promotes brotherhood and love.”
Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dubbed Modi as “great facilitator of corruption”.
“Till recently people used to shout Modi, Modi, but now, they scream Nirav Modi, Nirav Modi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great facilitator of corruption.
“I said the same in assembly; the BJP staged a walkout as they can't digest it. Modi should look around; there is Yeddyurappa, Katta Subramanya and Janardhana Reddy. How can you declare a jail bird as the future CM of your party? Are you not ashamed? Then you have Amit Shah, who had been to jail too. Did you not allow Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi to escape? I am proud to say my government is corruption free and we have walked the talk,” said Siddaramaiah, adding that the huge turnout of youths to Rahul's rally was a good development.
“A large number of youths are turning up to see and listen to Gandhi. It is a sign of a pro-Congress wave. Both Modi and Shah are coming to the state but they don't mention anything about development but make most irresponsible allegations of corruption sans any evidence. I dared them to prove their charges. They have IB, Intelligence and CBI with them. India ranks 86th ranking in corruption since 2015, as per an international report. Centre is a 90 per cent Commission sarkar,” alleged Siddaramaiah.
Taking credit for the ongoing Masthakabhisheka, Siddaramaiah said, “I wrote to Modi to give funds for the Jain festival. But he did not give a penny. I gave Rs 200 crore. Today, our government is the only one committed to inclusive development, under Rahul's leadership. Sabka Saat Sabka Vikas is a BJP farce. They don't believe in social justice or democracy. If they come to power they will divide the society as they instigate communities against each other.”