Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a blistering attack on the Congress, accusing the opposition party of openly advocating for "separating" Karnataka from India. Addressing his last election rally in the state, Modi also accused the Congress of "insulting" the freedom fighters from the state.
Modi's remarks came a day after Congress president Sonia Gandhi addressed a poll rally at Hubbali on Saturday. Referring to Gandhi's speech, the Congress had put out a tweet saying, "The Congress will not allow anyone to pose a threat to Karnataka's reputation, sovereignty or integrity".
The prime minister, apparently referring to this, said when it comes to working against the interests of India, the “royal family” of the Congress party is at the forefront.
"In this election, Congress has said that they want to protect the sovereignty of Karnataka. It means that Congress is openly advocating for Karnataka's separation from India. The disease of the 'Tukde Tukde' gang will reach this high in Congress, I had never thought," he said.
Noting that this is the land where 'Rashtra Kavi' Kuvempu had said Karnataka is an integral part of India with lines in the state anthem -- 'Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate Jaya he Karnataka Maate', Modi said: "For every Kannadiga, Karnataka is a mother and she has been described as the daughter of 'Bharat Ma'. I can feel the feelings of Kannadigas."
Winding up his campaigning for the high-stakes election, the prime minister on Sunday held a roadshow in Bengaluru and addressed two public rallies at Shivamogga and Nanjanagudu in Mysuru district.
Addressing the rally at Nanjanagudu, he accused the Congress leaders of secretly meeting foreign diplomats who hate India, repeatedly indulging in activities that insult the nation's sovereignty and said they are not ashamed of it.
"Congress has a history of dividing brothers, making states fight among themselves, and leaving no stone unturned in inciting communal violence. Whenever Congress party comes to power, the confidence of terrorists and criminals get emboldened. They are assured of being protected by the Congress party. We have seen how Congress has repeatedly come in support of terrorists," he further said.
He also trained guns at the grand old party over its promise of action against the Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the Vishva Hindu Parishad.
"All they can see is Vote Bank politics. What they did with Bajrang Bali, that is also a result of appeasement. We all know what they did with Ram Temple. When we promote the pilgrimages of Kashi Vishwanath, Kedarnath and Ujjain Mahakal Mahalok, Congress feels displeasured," he said.
Karnataka will go to polls on May 10 and the votes will be counted on May 13.