From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Apr 30: Congress leader Siddaramaiah has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 100th ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio show and asked whether he will now listen to the 'Jan ki Baat' or the woes of people, particularly from Karnataka. Siddaramaiah has questioned Modi on why petrol is Rs 102 per liter when the international crude oil price is barely 54.77 dollars per barrel, while people paid Rs 57 per liter when the international crude oil price was a high of 125 dollars per barrel.

Siddaramaiah also pointed out that while Modi declares that Na Khaavoonga, Na Khaane Doonga (I will not take bribes, nor will let anyone take), why is his BJP government collecting 40% commission and ministers going to jail for taking bribes. He demanded to know whether the Prime Minister cares to answer.

Siddaramaiah also asked Modi why he did not show the courage to respond to the complaint sent to him by the State Contractors Association Chief on BJP ministers demanding 40% commission for government contracts.

Furthermore, Siddaramaiah questioned why the BJP government is refusing to waive farm loans, despite a promise made by the ruling party in its election manifesto in 2018, when the loans of crony capitalists are written off by nationalized banks and governments. He asked why, although Karnataka contributes Rs 4.25 lakh crore to the Centre in taxes, cess, and duties, the Modi government is releasing only Rs 50,257 crore to the State, and has reduced the tax sharing ratio from 4.72% to 3.64%. He also demanded to know why the Union finance minister has compelled the State to contribute 55% as its share in 2021-22 when it was 25% in 2013.

Siddaramaiah also taunted the Prime Minister for his silence on the plight of 54,000 youth suffering due to the PSI recruitment scam involving over Rs 300 crore. He also pointed out that the roads in the city, in which Modi conducted roadshows, were repaired by the BJP government, spending Rs 7,200 crore for filling up 25,000 potholes, or roughly Rs 9.20 lakh per pothole, and asked why the potholes still exist.

In his statement, Siddaramaiah stated that Narendra Modi always speaks about himself but has never spoken about the real issues of farmers, dent to Karnataka pride, sufferings of our youth, atrocities against the marginalized communities, etc. Siddaramaiah also stated that the BJP leaders are resorting to threats as they have failed to convince people about their achievements. BJP seems to have forgotten the essence of federal structure.

Text of Siddaramaiah’s statement:

Narendra Modi always speaks about himself, but he has never spoken about the real issues of farmers, dent to Karnataka pride, sufferings of our youth, atrocities against the marginalised communities, etc. Narendra Modi has nothing to speak about the achievements of BJP in the state.
He has never spoken about B S Yediyurappa or Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. His goto narrative is to throw fake allegations against the Congress party.

(1) Unlike the BJP, Congress has always stood with the farmers during distress.
a) In 2017, Congress waived off more than Rs. 8,165 crore in loans taken by farmers from cooperative societies, benefiting 22.27 lakh farmers. We demanded that the BJP government also waive loans taken from nationalized banks, but they did not help the farmers.
b) When farmers suffered crop loss due to floods in 2019, 2020, and 2021, Narendra Modi did not come to their rescue.
c) BJP promised to waive farm loans in their manifesto, but they have not fulfilled that promise yet.
d) Congress constructed more than 2 lakh farm ponds and spent more than Rs. 58,000 crore on irrigation.
e) Congress implemented the Aadhaar scheme and initiated the linking of Aadhaar for welfare projects, which the BJP later took forward.

(2) Congress has always respected everyone, but the BJP, against the ethos of our country, has abused even women.
a) BJP leaders have always abused our party leaders, displaying hypocrisy. Indians always respect women, but BJP leaders use obscene words to target even Smt Sonia Gandhi ji.
b) Narendra Modi has always spoken ill about Smt Indira Gandhi and Shri Rajiv Gandhi, who sacrificed their lives for the nation, and insulted the martyrs who fought for India's pride.
c) Prime Minister Modi should immediately expel Basan Gouda Patil Yatnal from their party for addressing Congress leader Smt Sonia Gandhi using obscene words.
d) If no action is taken against him, it would clearly show that Modi has given tacit approval for his party members to say mean things about opposition leaders.

(3) BJP seeking votes in the name of double engine is like showing a blank paper as their achievements.
a) BJP leaders are resorting to threats as they have failed to convince people about their achievements. BJP seems to have forgotten the essence of the federal structure.
b) Till date, double engine governments have failed to provide relief to Kannadigas.
c) The remote control is operated by BJP high command and RSS leaders in Nagpur, and Karnataka BJP leaders merely act as their puppets to save their positions.
d) The PM remembers the people of Karnataka only during election campaigns and did not visit Karnataka during the floods.
e) For every rupee Karnataka contributes as tax, only 15 paise is given back. The BJP Central Government has denied more than Rs. 1 lakh crore to Karnataka.
f) Weak CM Bommai compromised on Karnataka's border with Maharashtra to please his masters in New Delhi.
g) Despite the people blessing them with 25 MPs, the BJP has only given step-motherly treatment to Karnataka and Kannadigas.
h) Don't vote for the BJP on Narendra Modi's appeal - Vote out corruption.
i) 'Na Khaunga, Na Khane Dunga' and 'Saaf Niyat, Sahi Vikas' are mere slogans for Modi, and repeated letters by the Contractors Association and Private School Management's Association, against 40% commission received no response.
j) Every time Narendra Modi visits the state, crores of rupees are spent on his PR.

(4) Modi lied about Rajiv Gandhi’s statement to cover up the BJP's 40% corruption
a) The statement made by former Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi was in the context of devolution of funds to gram panchayats and not in the context of corruption. He meant that 85% was lost in large operating costs and overheads of administering public services compared to only 15% actually being spent for individual beneficiaries. His statements were never related to corruption.
b) The BJP is lying to cover up their rampant 40% corruption. Why did he not speak about the rampant 40% corruption in the state BJP government and the letter from the contractors’ association and private school management association? Does this mean he has given tacit approval?

(5) Congress has always delivered as promised and committed to implementing Congress’ guarantees
a) Congress has always delivered as promised to the people of Karnataka through a stable government and able administration.
b) Congress made a total of 165 promises in 2013 and completed 95% (158) of its promises and also initiated work on the remaining promises before the term ended.
c) INC launched over 30 flagship schemes, including schemes like Anna Bhagya, Krishi Bhagya, Pashu Bhagya, and Ksheera Bhagya for the welfare of each and every one of our Kannadiga brothers and sisters.
d) Congress ensured food, water, shelter, education, health, and security for all. Congress never missed an opportunity to make people feel that they are part of one single family, which is Karnataka. Our governance instilled confidence in every Kannadiga to achieve their dreams and aspirations.

(6) BJP cheated Kannadigas by not fulfilling more than 90% of their promises made during the 2018 assembly elections
a) The deceitful BJP failed to waive off farm loans and also failed to fulfil even 10% of the promises made to farmers.
b) The incompetent CM could not deliver on 24 of the 26 promises his party made to women.
c) The divisive BJP failed to fulfil 77 promises that it had made to the marginalized communities
d) It completely failed on the promises made for Kannada and its culture. The RSS-controlled Government even insulted Karnataka icons and stalwarts like Basavanna, Kuvempu, Narayana Guru, and Surapura Nayakas by misinformation and distortion of facts.
e) The 40% commission Sarkara has turned our IT Capital into the Pothole Capital by failing to fulfil 90% of the promises towards Bengaluru Development.
f) The illegitimate BJP government failed to fulfil 17 of the 18 promises it made to Youth, 29 of the 32 promises it made on Education, 35 of the 40 it made in Health, 40 of the 48 promises it made in Infrastructure, and 22 of the 23 promises it made in Industrial growth.

(7) BJP ruined the lives of those dependent on Channapatna toys
a) India’s imports from China rose to $97.5 billion in the calendar year 2021, up 46.1 percent from imports worth $66.7 billion in 2020.
b) Channapatna toys got GI when Congress led UPA was in power.
c) BJP destroyed the market for Channapatna toys by not providing an exit in Channapatna along the new Mysuru Bengaluru highway or new market area along the highway.

Questions that Narendra Modi did not respond to: We have been asking Narendra Modi to answer about the injustice done towards Karnataka, but he has always left it unanswered. We will ask it again and hope that he answers it next time:

o) Why did Narendra Modi not speak about initiating Mekedatu and Mahadayi river projects and completing the Upper Krishna project for the benefit of Kannadigas?
p) Why did he not speak about the rampant 40% corruption in the state BJP government and about the letter from the contractors’ association and private school management association? Does this mean he has given tacit approval?
q) Why has the BJP not fulfilled more than 90% of the promises made to the people of Karnataka?
r) What happened to the job creation promised by Narendra Modi? Why has unemployment in the state skyrocketed under the BJP government?
s) The prices of essential commodities have more than tripled in the last 9 years. What has the BJP government done to control the price rise?
t) Despite the presence of double-engine governments, why has Narendra Modi failed to resolve the Karnataka-Maharashtra border issue and ask his leaders in Maharashtra to keep quiet?
u) What is the reason for Narendra Modi’s step-motherly treatment towards Karnataka? Why does Karnataka receive only 15 paise as devolution from the center for every rupee that we pay as taxes?