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

Udupi, Nov 1: JD(S) state chief H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday November 1 took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his foreign visits and 'Make in India' initiative, stating that under the BJP-led NDA government, the situation has turned such that foreign investors are given a sense of 'Come, die in India'.

He was addressing a press meet during his visit to Kadiyali here, where he inaugurated the Udupi district JD(S) office. His last visit to Udupi was two years ago.

"In one year, our Prime Minister has spent about 60-70 days touring foreign countries. He is telling foreign corporates to 'Make in India', but his government has created such an atmosphere in the country that foreign investors feel he is saying 'Come, die in India'.

"Both BJP and Congress are following the same policies. They are making big issues of small things and creating trouble in the country. The other day CM Siddaramaiah gave a statement that he would eat beef if he wants to and no one can stop him. There are so many problems in the country, but instead of finding solutions for them, these parties are busy discussing about what people should eat. For this reason, development in the country has taken a backseat. They should not make such statements, instead they should focus on development," he said.

In our districts, when politicians speak anything about development, they think on religious lines. Law and order has deteriorated in the state and the government is not bothered about the people," he added.

Regarding the issue of farmer suicides, he said, "The state government has been late in responding to farmer suicides. Compensation has not been distributed to all families of farmers who committed suicide. In Chikkamagalur for example, 36 families have seen farmer suicides, but only a handful have been given compensation while the rest have been rejected. Hence, tomorrow (Monday November 2) I will go to Chikkamagaluru and distribute Rs 50,000 to each bereaved farmer family.

"Though in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi there have been no farmer suicides, the government has failed to tap the development potential of these districts and failed to invest here," he pointed out.

Asked about the poor state of JD(S) in Udupi, he said, "I want to strengthen JD(S) in Udupi, but I am pained that I am not getting the required support."

To a question on the murder of flower vendor and Bajrang Dal activist Prashant Poojary in Moodbidri, he said, "Such cases should be taken seriously and measures should be initiated to ensure that they do not repeat."

JD(S) district president Dakshath Shetty, S L Bhojegowda and others were present.

He later addressed a convention of JD(S) party workers.

Accident of escort vehicle

While Kumaraswamy was on his way to Udupi, one of his escort vehicles got involved in an accident and two policemen were injured.

The accident took place under Hiriadka police limits when a bus hit the escort Innova car.

ASI Gopalkrishna and police constable Manjunath were injured and admitted to hospital.