Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Apr 27: Sambit Patra, national spokesperson for BJP on Friday, April 27 hit out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi and criticised his party's manifesto, saying Gandhi had got 'all calculations wrong'.

Addressing the media at BJP office at Kadiyali here, Patra said, "If Siddaramaiah had made so many achievements under his government in the last five years, why is Rahul Gandhi not speaking about it now? He spent enough time condemning PM Modi and BJP, but did not find even a single minute to speak about Siddaramaiah’s achievements. The Congress has no vision. They have never worked for people’s welfare.

"Karnataka is Rahul Gandhi’s ATM. He comes here, collects commission and leaves to New Delhi. CM Siddaramaiah’s personal secretary’s diary is here with confidential details, but the money has been already shifted to New Delhi. This Congress-led state government is nothing but a ‘No vision, No mission, All commission’ government.

“They spoke about fulfilling all their promises made in their previous manifesto. Rahul Gandhi has got all the calculations wrong. Congress has fulfilled only 5 percent of the promises and 95 percent is still pending. Rs 50 crore worth Krishna river project and irrigation related projects are still pending. Uttara Kannada water crisis has not been solved. As many as 3,781 farmers have committed suicide. That shows the government’s failure. Lathi charge on farmers in Bengaluru shows the government’s apathy towards farmers. All that Congress does is politicize issues for its own benefits," he said.

"Rahul Gandhi cannot come up with his own ideas and borrows from others. Congress’ ‘Nava Karnataka’ is borrowed from PM Modi’s ‘New India’ concept. They could have used some original phrases at least.

"The BJP has always followed Basavanna’s policies and hence has the mantra ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. Congress divides and rules," he said.

Slamming the Gandhi family, Patra said that Congress government from the past many years used the slogan ‘Garibi Hatao’, but did nothing. "BJP’s agenda is threefold development - development, fast paced development and all-round development. BJP believes in development for all," he said.

Patra also attacked Rahul Gandhi for allegedly not respecting ‘Vande Mataram’ during a public gathering in Bantwal earlier in the day. "Someone had to tell him to stand. Now that shows the real face of Rahul Gandhi. That shows his patriotism," he said.

"The May 12 elections will lead to BJP’s victory on May 15. We are confident of winning," he added.