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Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 5: "As per the agreement entered into between India and France during the UPA regime, a sum of Rs 56,000 crore was to be invested in HAL Bengaluru for manufacturing French Rafale fighter aircrafts in India. But as soon as NDA government was formed at the centre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled this deal and betrayed Karnataka with the aim of benefitting private companies," alleged MP and president of Congress manifesto committee, Dr M Veerappa Moily.

Speaking at the press conference convened at Hotel Kidiyoor here on Friday May 4 evening, he noted that in spite of Modi undertaking tour of Karnataka coast last time, Congress succeeded in bagging seven out of eight seats in Dakshina Kannada and three out of five seats in Udupi district. He said that his party will sweep the election and bag all the 13 seats in coast this time.

Moily claimed that Dalits and women have been disillusioned with Modi government. He pointed out that although the police arrested rapist legislator in Uttar Pradesh, he has not yet been suspended from the party. He also said that the ministers who supported rapists in Jammu and Kashmir were promoted. "Because of such things, BJP government has lost its trustworthiness among the people of the country," he analyzed.

Moily said that BJP is on the downslide and result of this year's assembly election in Karnataka will make this loud and clear. He predicted doom for BJP in the upcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, duly predicting Rahul Gandhi to rise to power at the centre in 2019 election.

Speaking about the BJP manifesto released on Friday, he ridiculed it as a copy of the Congress manifesto. He said that it lacks trustworthiness and suffers from lack of new projects. He stated that during Modi's rule, the country faced loss on account of demonetization exercise, and that Rs 95,000 crore had been siphoned out of banking system. He said that non-performing assets which stood at two percent during UPA period has jumped now to ten percent.

When questioned about the reason for Siddaramaiah choosing to contest from two constituencies, Moily said that it was the party's decision to field him from two seats. He said that Pulakeshi II, well-known ruler of Chalukya dynasty having Badami as his capital, had stopped emperor Harshavardhan from crossing over to the south. Likewise, Siddaramaiah will stop Narendra Modi from winning the south, he said.

Rajya Sabha member and All India Congress Committee office bearer, Oscar Fernandes, Blossom Fernandes, party leaders, Dominic P, Janardhana Thonse, Gopal Bhandary, Dinesh Puthran, B A Bava, M A Gafoor etc were present at the press conference.