"Congress sympathising with PFI for political gains, led to cafe blast in Bengaluru": PM Modi

Ballari (Karnataka) [India], April 28 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi made heated remarks against the ruling Congress government in Karnataka accusing it of "sympathising" with the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) while linking the same with the bomb blast that took place in a cafe in Bengaluru.
While addressing a public meeting in Karnataka's Ballari in the run-up to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi further alleged that the banned outfit has become a "lifeline" for Congress.
"PFI is a dangerous organisation and it has plans to destroy the nation. Modi government banned PFI. The 'Tees Maar Khan' of PFI are in jail now. The PFI has become a lifeline for the Congress. It's unfortunate that Congress, just for political gains, is sympathising with PFI. Because of such behaviour of the Congress, a bomb blast took place in a cafe in Bengaluru," PM Modi said on Sunday in Ballari.
PM Modi accused the Congress of indulging in appeasement politics.
"Congress Government in Karanataka has been all into appeasement politics. A mindset dangerous to Karnataka and the entire country is being promoted by Congress. Crime and terror can not be weighed on the scales of the vote bank, and cannot be seen through the perspective of the vote bank. But Congress is neither ready nor willing to get rid of its cheap vote bank thinking!," the Prime Minister said.
He further said that the latter is "troubled" to see the BJP government's resolve and dedication. He claimed that the "majboot sarkar" (strong government) of BJP at the Centre has become a "threat to the corrupt" opposition.
"Today, as India makes progress, a few countries and organisations have started getting upset. Many people want India to weaken, the government here to weaken, and their own 'ambitions' to be fulfilled. In a weak government, they get their work done without any hesitation and Congress also got a free hand at corruption. The game of 'Tum bhi kamao, main bhi kamaoon. Tum bhi malamaal, main bhi malamaal' continued. But the 'Majboot Sarkar' of the BJP has become a threat to the corrupt opposition," PM Modi said while addressing a public meeting in Karnataka's Ballari.
"The opposition is troubled to see our resolve, dedication and remarkable works. They are worried that neither does this government kneel nor can anyone make us kneel No matter how hard the Congress and its allies try, India will develop! The tactics of Congress will not work anymore," he added.
"If your vote was not there, if your blessings were not there and if there was no strong government in Delhi, then even today bomb blasts would have continued and innocent people would have continued to die. There was a time when insecurity prevailed everywhere, and now is the time when 'Modi Ghar Me Ghus Kar Maarta Hai'. I will live only for you till my last breath," he added.
The Prime Minister also alleged that the Congress government in the state is working to "destroy" the works undertaken by the BJP government.
"The BJP considers the development of Kalyana-Karnataka its responsibility. BJP sowed the seeds of development in Karnataka, Congress is working to destroy it. The agenda of Congress is- do not do any work yourself and stop the work of the BJP. We invested thousands of crores for Karnataka's development. Through providing connectivity and modern infrastructure, we have built a strong foundation for the development of Kalyana-Karnataka," he said.
The Prime Minister also targeted the Congress over the party's overseas chapter head Sam Pitroda's remarks advocating a US-like inheritance tax for India.
"The corrupt Congress wants to grab your property. The philosopher and guide of Congress has instructed America to conduct an 'X-ray' of people's properties in India. Congress has planned to snatch your property and divide it amongst its vote bank," he said.
The Prime Minister also attacked the Siddaramaiah government over the Hubballi murder incident calling it a "government hungry for vote bank".
"In Congress rule, our daughters are not safe. In a college in Hubbali, a daughter was stabbed and killed in broad daylight. People involved in such activities are not scared at all. The family is tense. This is the result of Congress' policies. When there was a blast in the cafe, their first statement was that a gas cylinder had exploded. Then they said that it was due to a business rivalry. Finally, the NIA investigation revealed the dangerous plans and the culprits were arrested from West Bengal. What was Neha's fault? A government hungry for a vote bank cannot protect you," he said.
The Prime Minister also held public meetings in Karnataka's Davanagere and Uttara Kannada earlier in the day in the run-up to the second round of polling in the state on May 7.
The voting in 14 out of 28 seats in Karnataka was conducted on April 26 in the second phase. The remaining seats will be voted on May 7 in the third phase for the Lower House. The results will be announced on June 4.
In 2019, BJP almost swept the state by winning 25 out of 28 seats in Karnataka. While, Congress and JD(S) -- who were in coalition government in the state -- could only win one seat each.