Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Hubli in Karnataka on Sunday, 10 February, to address a public rally. On his campaign trail, Modi is visiting the three southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
The prime minister laid the foundation stone of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) - Dharwad . He also witnessed the e-Griha Pravesh of 2,350 houses constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana at Dharwad.
Speaking at a rally after the inauguration, Modi said, “Projects worth Rs. 5000 crores have been inaugurated few moments ago which gives an impetus to the vision of development for all”.
Taking a jibe at the state’s Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Modi said, “Karnataka’s CM appears to be a punching bag for all. Everyone is challenging him and it’s difficult to figure out who’s the in charge of the state. They want to impose the same ‘Majboor’ model on the entire country.”
Earlier on Sunday, he addressed rallies in Guntur in Andhra Pradesh and Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu.
After Andhra Pradesh, PM Modi Reaches Tamil Nadu
After addressing a rally in Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, Modi flew down to Coimbatore where he was received by Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai. The prime minister then took a chopper to Tiruppur.
Meanwhile, MDMK Chief Vaiko has been detained in Tiruppur for black flag protests against PM Narendra Modi. Earlier, in Andhra Pradesh, TDP supporters also showed black flags to the prime minister.
Speaking at the rally, Modi said, “A few days ago, the nation saw with utter disgust a story of how top UPA minister kept pushing a narrative that our Army will do a coup. Every Indian knows that our Army can do no such thing but look at the Congress attitude. Congress never leaves an opportunity to belittle our army.
“Those who got the opportunity to rule the nation for years did not bother about our defence sector. For them it was just a sector of deals and supporting their own friends,” he added.
“NDA government is for each and every Indian. We have been working for a good future for the country. We will link every corner of this country with the scheme Bharat Mata,” he also said.
Earlier, in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Modi flagged off Chennai Metro's passenger services.
The Prime Minister also laid a foundation stone for modernisation of Chennai International Airport, (Phase-II), a new integrated terminal building at Trichy airport, and a 100-bedded ESI hospital.
“After the completion of the integrated building at Trichy airport which was inaugurated few moments ago, 3,000 passengers be facilitated at this airport in the peak hours,” Modi said while addressing the rally.
Hitting out at the opposition, he said, “ For every question, their answer is ‘Modi’. If you ask their opinions on agriculture, they said Modi. Their political tactics is just around Modi. But you need people’s support for winning elections.” He said the opposition is good only at creating panic.
Modi also accused the opposition of misleading the poor and farmers ahead of election. “When we announced the PM Kisan Nidhi in budget, the opposition benches were sad. If the farmers do not stay poor, whom will they mislead?”
“This alliance is a club of rich people trying to promote dynasty. They neither understand poverty not how to resolve poverty,” he said referring to the Mahagathbandhan.
In an apparent reference to the Gandhi family, Modi said, “ You would've seen family packages for ice cream and mobile recharge. Here you are seeing entire family going to the court for corruption cases.”
Modi also dedicated BPCL Ennore Coastal installation-- state-of-the-art and fully automated oil storage and distribution facilities, with a project cost of Rs 393 crore and a crude oil pipline from Chennai Port to Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limted's Manali refinery.
Prime Minister Modi is addressing rallies in three states – Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu and Hubballi in Karnataka – on Sunday, 10 February.
You Take Credit in Renaming Modi’s Policies: PM to Chandrababu Naidu
Speaking at a rally in Guntur in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday, 10 February, PM Modi slammed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu by saying, “The leader of TDP who should have worked for Congress-free India is now supporting the Congress party.”
He also accused Naidu of renaming BJP government’s policies as his own and said, Naidu is an “expert in losing one election after the other.”
PM Modi also declared that the Central government has chosen Amaravati as “Heritage City” under the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY).
Taking a swipe at Naidu, Modi said he had only replicated the Centre’s development programmes instead of his assurance of initiating new schemes for the poor in the state.
He said Naidu had claimed he was his senior but instead was "a senior in switching sides and ditching his father-in-law, NT Rama Rao, the former chief minister. "
Naidu is fixated with the rise of his own son N Lokesh, Modi charged.
The chief minister promised the redevelopment of Amaravati but is now engaged in his own development, the prime minister alleged.
TDP Supporters Protest Modi’s Visit
TDP workers staged protests against Modi as he arrived on Sunday on his first visit to the state after the ruling Telugu Desam Party severed ties with NDA, PTI reported.
TDP organised protests in various cities and towns in the state in protest against Modi's visit.
At Vijayawada and Guntur, TDP workers donned black shirts and took out rallies demanding, "Modi go back".
In his daily teleconference with the party leaders, the chief minister dubbed Modi as the "modati drohi" (first betrayer) of Andhra Pradesh.
"Modi is coming for a war on AP. They have done injustice to the state, destroyed the systems and ruined the country. Modi is facing protests wherever he is going in the country. He has come to AP to mock at us," Naidu said.
PM Modi however took a dig at those showing him black flags. “In Indian culture, there is tradition where the elder people of the house put up "Kala Tika" to ward off evil eyes. I would like to say thanks to Chandrababu & his party workers who greeted us with black balloons today that will do the same for us,” he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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