Congress turned IT hub into tanker city: PM Narendra Modi

BENGALURU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress govt in Karnataka during his second rally in the state on Saturday, referring to pressing issues like the escalating water crisis, the recent bomb blast at The Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru, and rising incidence of attacks on women in the state.

Highlighting the vision of Bengaluru’s founder Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, Modi lamented the “deterioration” of the city under the Congress govt’s watch and accused the regime of transforming the tech hub into a “tanker city” by failing to control the water mafia.

“The Congress govt has swiftly plunged Bengaluru into chaos, turning the IT city into a tanker city,” Modi said, emphasizing the “absence” of developmental initiatives and budget cuts affecting urban infrastructure. He condemned the Congress for “prioritizing” corruption over addressing the concerns of Bengalureans. He also expressed concern over the recent surge in attacks on women, stating, “Our sisters and daughters are facing relentless assaults. Bombs are detonated in marketplaces, sparing no one, not even those attending bhajans.”

Projects and votes

Appealing to citizens of Bengaluru to vote for BJP to keep the momentum of development in the IT city, he said: “Only projects initiated by the central govt are progressing in the state.”

He cited the expansion of the Namma Metro network, which has grown from 17km in 2014 to the current 70km, with the imminent opening of the Yellow Line. Modi mentioned the recent acceleration of the suburban rail project, promising that Bengaluru would soon reap the benefits of bullet trains.

On the facilities at Kempegowda International Airport, Modi said the “world is taking note of it”. He expressed optimism for the future, envisioning a time when Indians would travel in planes manufactured domestically.

The PM asserted that under his administration, India experienced rapid development across various sectors, transitioning from being a follower to the “first mover” on the global stage over the past decade.

He highlighted progress in social, physical, technological, and digital domains, emphasizing the nation’s significant advancements.

Modi pointed out India’s economic ascent — from being among the ‘fragile five’ to securing a position among the top five globally. He credited this transformation to the support of the electorate.

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