PM Modi blows election bugle in Karnataka, avoids contentious issues

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the closing ceremony of Karnataka BJP's Parivartan Yatra on Sunday afternoon and addressed a large gathering of BJP workers and supporters.

In his one hour long speech, PM Modi lashed out at Karnataka’s Congress government but avoided contentious issues like cow slaughter, beef, Pakistan, Ram Mandir, and didn't mention the name of Popular Front of India (PFI) whom the state BJP leaders blame for the killings of BJP workers in the state.

Taking a dig at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "While the union government is speaking about 'ease of doing business' the Congress-led Karnataka government debates about 'ease of doing murder'.”

“The situation is such that even to oppose the Karnataka government is like putting one's life at risk."

Political analysts believe that BJP has gauged the mood of people in Karnataka and hence changed the strategy ahead of the polls. Instead of talking about communally sensitive issues, which are BJP’s main tools, PM Modi chose to speak on infrastructure and development issues. PM Modi called Siddharamaiah government as ‘10% govt.’ PM Modi said, "I have been told that Karnataka government is being recognised as 10% government as no work is possible without 10% commission."

PM Modi tried hard to connect with the people of the state as he started his speech in Kannada and complimented Rahul Dravid for the Under 19 World Cup win. PM Modi said, "You would have seen yesterday how our Indian Under 19 team brought laurels to the country. It is a matter of pride for everyone Hindustani and every person in the country knows that the man behind this is this Land's own son Rahul Dravid."

While the PM was addressing the rally at Palace Grounds, pro-Kannada activists were protesting at Freedom Park against the Prime Minister. Pro-Kannada activists were demanding PM Modi's intervention in the Mahadayi water dispute but PM Modi did not touch the controversial issue in his one-hour long speech. Mahadayi water dispute is a major issue between the states of Karnataka and Goa.