Addressing a press conference on the last day of Karnataka Assembly election campaign in Bengaluru, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today launched a multi-pronged attack on the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the Opposition in the state was trying to "distract people" as it had no plan for development.
Addressing a press conference on the last day of Karnataka Assembly election campaign in Bengaluru, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today launched a multi-pronged attack on the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the Opposition in the state was trying to "distract people" as it had no plan for development.
"The Congress has run a constructive and positive campaign. However, the opposition has not spoken about their plans for Karnataka's development," Rahul Gandhi said while responding to personal attacks on him and his mother Sonia Gandhi.
Here are the top ten quotes from his press conference in Bengaluru:
On PM Modi's personal attack at him: I am a lightning rod for anger. I attract anger. I attract anger from Prime Minister Narendra Modi because he views me as a threat. Modi has got anger inside of him. He is angry with everybody, not only me. But that is his problem. It is not my problem.
On PM Modi's reference to Italian origin of Sonia Gandhi: My mother is more Indian than many Indian people I have met. If the prime minister likes to abuse her, he may do so if it pleases him. My mother is Italian. She has lived larger part of her life in India. She is more Indian than many Indians I see. My mother sacrificed for this country, she has suffered for it. It shows the quality of the prime minister when he makes these types of comments.
On reports of rape: Rapes are a political issue. Are you trying to say that politicians should remain silent while the women of this country are raped? Atrocities against women are absolutely a political and a national issue. Modi likes to discuss bullet train and other issues but does not like to discuss fundamental issues.
Rahul Gandhi on his temple hopping: Throughout last 15 years, I've been visiting temples, mosques, gurudwaras, every religious institution I come across. Our people have different religious beliefs. As a leader of the political party, it is my job to visit the religious institution that invites me. I will however not go to a single institution that divides the society.
On BJP's criticism of Rahul Gandhi's "soft hindutva": I don't think they understand meaning of the term Hindu. It is a perspective. It's something which lives with you throughout. When BJP uses the term, it is 'Election Hindu'. They define their own perspective of the religion. When I go to a temple, the BJP doesn't like this.
On the Dalit issue: We will raise the issues related to Dalits. This is our job. Our question is why does not prime minister raise the issues of Dalits? What does the PM have to say about the rising atrocities against Dalits? The Congress will continue to raise the issues of Dalits. We have said that Dalits are being beaten up and oppressed.
On PM Modi's alleged silence on issues of Dalits: When Rohith Vemula was killed Modi did not say a word. When Dalits are killed and humiliated in other parts of India, Modi doesn't say anything. The Congress will defend the rights of Dalits and raise their issues.
On corruption in Karnataka: Reddy brothers (of the BJP) have stolen Rs 35,000 from the people of Karnataka. On the one hand, we have hones Siddaramaiah (Karnataka chief minister) and on the other, there are those who have spent time in jail (on corruption charges). PM Modi must explain why the CBI has turned into the Central Bureau of Illegal Mining? Why are corruption tainted people, who looted Karnataka, are representing the BJP in Karnataka?
On PM Modi's allegation of fake voter IDs: Whatever comes out of prime minister's mouth is what is actually in his heart. He is absolutely convinced now, and he is right, that he is going to lose Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and he is going to lose 2019.
On manifesto for Karnataka election: The Congress drew from the essence of the aspirations of the people of Karnataka to create its manifesto. The BJP's manifesto, however, was crafted behind closed doors and half of it was copied from the Congress manifesto.ddressing a press conference on the last day of Karnataka Assembly election campaign in Bengaluru, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today launched a multi-pronged attack on the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the Opposition in the state was trying to "distract people" as it had no plan for development.
"The Congress has run a constructive and positive campaign. However, the opposition has not spoken about their plans for Karnataka's development," Rahul Gandhi said while responding to personal attacks on him and his mother Sonia Gandhi.
Here are the top ten quotes from his press conference in Bengaluru:
On PM Modi's personal attack at him: I am a lightning rod for anger. I attract anger. I attract anger from Prime Minister Narendra Modi because he views me as a threat. Modi has got anger inside of him. He is angry with everybody, not only me. But that is his problem. It is not my problem.
On PM Modi's reference to Italian origin of Sonia Gandhi: My mother is more Indian than many Indian people I have met. If the prime minister likes to abuse her, he may do so if it pleases him. My mother is Italian. She has lived larger part of her life in India. She is more Indian than many Indians I see. My mother sacrificed for this country, she has suffered for it. It shows the quality of the prime minister when he makes these types of comments.
On reports of rape: Rapes are a political issue. Are you trying to say that politicians should remain silent while the women of this country are raped? Atrocities against women are absolutely a political and a national issue. Modi likes to discuss bullet train and other issues but does not like to discuss fundamental issues.
Rahul Gandhi on his temple hopping: Throughout last 15 years, I've been visiting temples, mosques, gurudwaras, every religious institution I come across. Our people have different religious beliefs. As a leader of the political party, it is my job to visit the religious institution that invites me. I will however not go to a single institution that divides the society.
On BJP's criticism of Rahul Gandhi's "soft hindutva": I don't think they understand meaning of the term Hindu. It is a perspective. It's something which lives with you throughout. When BJP uses the term, it is 'Election Hindu'. They define their own perspective of the religion. When I go to a temple, the BJP doesn't like this.
On the Dalit issue: We will raise the issues related to Dalits. This is our job. Our question is why does not prime minister raise the issues of Dalits? What does the PM have to say about the rising atrocities against Dalits? The Congress will continue to raise the issues of Dalits. We have said that Dalits are being beaten up and oppressed.
On PM Modi's alleged silence on issues of Dalits: When Rohith Vemula was killed Modi did not say a word. When Dalits are killed and humiliated in other parts of India, Modi doesn't say anything. The Congress will defend the rights of Dalits and raise their issues.
On corruption in Karnataka: Reddy brothers (of the BJP) have stolen Rs 35,000 from the people of Karnataka. On the one hand, we have hones Siddaramaiah (Karnataka chief minister) and on the other, there are those who have spent time in jail (on corruption charges). PM Modi must explain why the CBI has turned into the Central Bureau of Illegal Mining? Why are corruption tainted people, who looted Karnataka, are representing the BJP in Karnataka?
On PM Modi's allegation of fake voter IDs: Whatever comes out of prime minister's mouth is what is actually in his heart. He is absolutely convinced now, and he is right, that he is going to lose Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and he is going to lose 2019.
On manifesto for Karnataka election: The Congress drew from the essence of the aspirations of the people of Karnataka to create its manifesto. The BJP's manifesto, however, was crafted behind closed doors and half of it was copied from the Congress manifesto.