Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, May 9: Congress leader and former union finance minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday May 9 appealed to the people of Mangaluru to vote for Congress, and said that the previous state government under BJP was the worst administration in the history of Karnataka.

Addressing a press meet here, Chidambaram said, "During BJP's term, they changed the chief minister thrice. Their administration was the worst in the history of Karnataka. They have no achievements to boast of, so now they are attacking chief minister Siddaramaiah. My question is, why are they not campaigning based on their achievements?

"RSS and BJP are trying to impose autocratic rule in the nation. Their main aim is to convert India into Hindu nation, destroy the federal system, impose the ideology of one history, one religion, one language and one living style. It is dangerous to our Indian culture, to our hallmark of unity in diversity. So we should all stop them," he said.

"They (BJP) are trying to enter South India through Karnataka. It is a danger signal for the diversity of South India," he added.

Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, "The Prime Minister should maintain the dignity of his post. Every single statement regarding field marshal Cariappa and Gen Thimayya that he made was wrong. He should not do this. He should not speak whatever comes to his mind like a third-rate BJP spokesperson."

He further said, "Petrol and diesel should be brought under GST. But the Modi government is not doing this because it wants to loot the people. Indial Oil Corporation chairman says people are panicking over hike of fuel prices, so we put a break on price hike for a short time. I want to say, why he is not saying 'Modi ordered me put on hold the daily price hike on petroleum products for Karnataka election'? People are already in panic because of price hikes. The fuel prices should be decreased. What is the benefit in putting hike on hold for a few days?"

Urging people to vote for the Congress, he said, "I appeal to the people of Karnataka to vote for the Congress for a stable government. The entire nation is looking at Karnataka elections eagerly. Clear majority and stable government only can sustain developmental works. Last five years the GDP of Karnataka increased from Rs 6,43,292 crore to Rs 9,49,111 crore, recording an 8% growth. The per capita income has increased by 1.25% in five years of Congress rule, and the revenue surplus is 0.8% which is a record in entire India. Karnataka has the lowest unemployment rate of 2.6%. Infant morality rate has reduced, electricity has reached villages. All this have happened under the stable government led by the Congress. Development and welfare programmes go hand-in-hand under the Siddaramaiah-led government. Siddaramaiah is the first Karnataka CM to have completed full 5-year term after Devaraj Urs."

Suresh Shetty, AICC observer, Harish Kumar, district Congress president, Jaigeer, spokesperson, and Ibrahim Kodijal were present.