Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing critique of the Congress party's governance in Bengaluru during a recent rally, attributing the city's infrastructure woes to the opposition party's mismanagement.
Addressing the ongoing water crisis in parts of Bengaluru that has led to water rationing and penalties for non-essential water usage, PM Modi remarked, "The Congress government in Karnataka has turned the tech city into a tanker city, and left it to the tanker mafia."
He further accused Congress of being against private enterprise, taxpayers, and wealth creators.
"The Congress is anti-private sector, anti-tax payer, and anti-wealth creator... the (Opposition bloc) INDIA's focus is on Modi, but my focus is on India's development, its global image," PM Modi said during the rally.
Taking a dig at the opposition's campaign strategy, Modi stated, "In these elections, the leaders of INDIA alliance are roaming around with a worn-out tape recorder. Meanwhile, Modi and his partners are walking around with their track record, and that's why we have come here in Bengaluru to seek your blessings."
The BJP has fielded Tejasvi Surya and PC Mohan as candidates from Bangalore South and Central, respectively. Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje is contesting from Bangalore North. In Bangalore Rural, cardiologist CN Manjunath, the son-in-law of former Prime Minister Deve Gowda, is running on a BJP ticket in alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular), or JD(S).
PM Modi has been actively campaigning in Karnataka, holding mega rallies in Kalaburagi and Shivamogga last month. On April 14, he addressed a rally in Mysuru where he shared the stage with Mr Gowda, followed by a roadshow in the coastal town of Mangaluru.
Karnataka's voting will take place in two phases: the first on April 26 and the second on May 7.