Congress wants to 'separate' Karnataka from India: PM Modi

Nanjanagudu (K'taka): In a blistering attack on the Congress during his last campaign rally ahead of the May 10 Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the party of openly advocating for "separating" Karnataka from India.

The prime minister's charge comes a day after former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi addressed a campaign rally at Hubballi on Saturday.

Referring to her speech in a tweet, the party said Gandhi, who is the Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson, "sends a strong message to 6.5 crore Kannadigas". It also posted pictures of Gandhi speaking at the public meeting.

"The Congress will not allow anyone to pose a threat to Karnataka's reputation, sovereignty or integrity", the tweet read.

Modi, apparently referring to this, alleged that the disease of the 'tukde-tukde gang' (anti-national elements) has reached the Congress' top level.

"When it comes to working against India's interests, Congress' royal family will be at the forefront. I want to speak about a serious issue here, I want to say it as there is a lot of pain in my heart. This country can never forgive such a game. This family, to influence the politics in the country, is encouraging foreign forces to interfere," Modi said.

Addressing the public meeting here in Mysuru district, he accused them of secretly meeting foreign diplomats who hate India, repeatedly indulging in activities that insult India's sovereignty and said they are not ashamed of it.

Stating that in this Karnataka election, Congress's 'shahi parivar' (royal family) has gone a step ahead "breaking all the limits and crushing the feelings of the country", Modi said, "not only Karnataka, I want to tell this to the entire country with a lot of pain that in this election Congress' shahi parivar yesterday came to Karnataka and said that they want to protect the sovereignty of Karnataka."

"Karnataka's sovereignty, you know what is the meaning of it? They have sat in Parliament for so many years, they have taken oath on India's Constitution, and they say this. When a country becomes independent, then that country is called a sovereign nation. The meaning of what Congress is saying is the party believes that Karnataka is separate from India," he charged.

Asking people whether they approve it and whether they will punish Congress for such a statement, the prime minister said it means Congress is openly advocating separating Karnataka from India.

"I had never thought that the disease of the tukde-tukde gang would reach the Congress' top level," he said, accusing the party of insulting Kannada fighters who fought for India's independence and insulting the patriotism of crores of Kannadigas.

Noting that this is the land where 'Rashtra Kavi' Kuvempu had said Karnataka is an integral part of India with lines in the state anthem - "Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate Jaya he Karnataka Maate", Modi said "for every Kannadiga, Karnataka is a mother and she has been described as the daughter of 'Bharat ma'. I can feel the feelings of Kannadigas."

Insulting the feelings of Karnataka is like insulting the "culture and pride" of the state, he added.

Further accusing Congress of creating a rift between states and spreading communal fire, the Prime Minister said whenever they did such things, the people of India united to defeat them.

Congress wants to somehow come to power in Karnataka to get "political oxygen", he said, adding that "people here can never forgive them for this sin... Congress will get the response for this on May 10 with full strength."

Stating that he was visiting the famous Srikanteshwara temple here, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and connected to the mythological context of 'Vishapaan' (Shiva drinking venom), after the rally, Modi said: "The way Congress abused me in Karnataka and poured venom on me, Lord Srikanteshwara gave me the strength to bear it."

Thanking people for the blessings and affection towards him during campaigning in Karnataka, calling it his biggest asset, he said this is his last programme in this election campaign and after this, he will leave for Delhi.

"I'm ending my campaign here, now you take the baton," he said as he urged the people to vote on May 10 and exercise their franchise.

Modi later visited the Srikanteshwara temple in the district.