Modi to tour election-bound K'taka on March 12; Cong pushes for model code of conduct

Bengaluru: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to travel to Karnataka On March 12, to dedicate the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway and the IIT campus in Dharwad.

PM Modi has already made five trips to the election-bound state this year for different development initiatives. He is participating in road shows and public demonstrations.

The Congress party has taken issue with the repeated trips to Karnataka by national officials such as Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. On Sunday, Siddaramaiah urged the state to quickly implement the model code of conduct.

Siddaramaiah has also urged the Election Commission to announce the date of the elections. "We will submit a memorandum to the EC in this regard. Model Code of Conduct should be declared immediately to stop corruption and violation of law," he added.

The state government is misusing public funds by organising programmes of PM Modi, Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh. The party is spending crores to get favourable media reports and coverage, Siddaramaiah alleged.

"The ministers are getting bribes from contractors and allocating tenders. BJP candidates are distributing gifts and cash to people. To prevent all this, the EC must declare election dates and Model Code of Conduct in the state," he demanded.

Siddaramaiah also warned that the contractors should be careful as after his party came to power, all tenders of the last six months would be cancelled. School children and Anganwadi workers are ordered to participate in rallies of PM Modi compulsorily. They are also paid.

Union Minister for Mine, Coal and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi stated that PM Modi will dedicate two major projects of the state, the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway and Dharwad IIT on March 12.

"PM Modi will arrive in Dharwad after dedicating the expressway in Mandya. PM Modi's schedule is confirmed in this regard," he said.

"The Congress leaders are scared of the visit of PM Modi. In 2018, their party was defeated. Siddaramaiah won elections in 2013 before Narendra Modi took charge as the PM. Siddaramaiah used inappropriate language against PM Modi and tasted defeat in the 2018 elections," he said.

With inputs from IANS