Hukkeri, May 3 (UNI) In a fiery address at a public meeting in Belagavi district, Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the Congress of aligning with the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political front of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), to secure power in Karnataka.
Shah’s remarks came amidst escalating tensions following a bomb blast in Bengaluru, which he attributed to “anti-national elements” associated with SDPI.
Highlighting the recent Rameshwaram cafe blast on March 1, Shah underscored the alleged involvement of SDPI operatives, challenging the Congress government’s handling of the investigation. He called for a transfer of the probe into the Hubballi student Neha Hiremath murder case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing doubts over the state’s ability to conduct a thorough investigation.
“Under Modi ji’s leadership, terrorism has been decisively curbed across the nation, and the menace of the Popular Front of India (PFI) has been effectively countered. However, it’s alarming to note that the Congress government in Karnataka has allied itself with (SDPI), a known affiliate of PFI.
“The repercussions of this unholy alliance are evident – we witnessed a tragic bomb blast in Bengaluru soon after their ascent to power. This underscores the grave dangers posed by such alliances to our nation’s security and stability,” Shah asserted, addressing the enthusiastic gathering in support of BJP candidate Annasaheb Jolle in the Chikkodi Lok Sabha segment.
Referring to Neha Hiremath’s tragic murder, Shah criticised the initial characterisation of the incident as a personal dispute. He recounted meeting Neha’s grieving mother and emphasised the alleged pressure on Neha to undergo a religious conversion, warning the Congress of the consequences if they fail to pursue justice in the case.
Neha, the 23-year-old daughter of a Congress councilor, was fatally stabbed on her college campus, with the accused, Fayaz Khondunaik, subsequently arrested by the police. Shah’s impassioned plea for a thorough investigation resonated with the audience, framing the BJP as a party committed to ensuring justice.
Turning to broader political themes, Shah juxtaposed the alleged corruption of the Congress with the clean governance of the BJP under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He lambasted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his stance on COVID-19 vaccines, contrasting it with Modi’s unwavering dedication to public service.
“In this crucial election, we are faced with a stark choice. On one hand, we have the Congress, embroiled in scandals and corruption amounting to a staggering Rs 12 lakh crore.
“On the other hand, we have the BJP, under the leadership of Narendra Modi, who has served as Chief Minister and Prime Minister for a cumulative 23 years, with not a single stain of corruption on his record.
“This stark dichotomy underscores the clear and undeniable choice before the voters,” Shah proclaimed, rallying fervent support for the BJP in the run-up to the impending polls.
Shah also credited Modi for landmark achievements such as the resolution of the Ram Mandir issue and the development of religious sites, while chastising Congress leaders for their absence at significant events like the Ayodhya consecration ceremony.
As the political rhetoric intensified, Shah challenged the gathering to choose between the “dynastic politics” of the Congress and the “tradition” embodied by the BJP.
