"PM just stirs emotions, refrains from discussing price hike or unemployment": Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Bijapur (Karnataka) [India], April 26 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi just "stirs up emotions" and refrains from discussing inflation or unemployment.
While addressing a public meeting at Vijayapura city on Friday, Siddaramaiah said, "Narendra Modi has not worked for the poor, youth, Dalit and minorities for ten years as Prime Minister. Prime Minister does not discuss the price hike, unemployment, or farmers' organizations. Modi just stirs up emotions, sets fire among religions and castes without telling the government's achievements. After looking at his recent speeches, it can be said that Modi is under stress that BJP will not get the votes he expected in the first phase of the election and hence he is bringing up unrelated issues."
The Chief Minister also criticised the Prime Minister for allegedly speaking against the reservation given to Muslims alleging that the latter is "speaking against the Consitution."
"Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution clearly state that reservation should be given to the socially and educationally backward. It includes Hindus and Muslims, Christians. It cannot be said that reservations cannot be given to Muslims. He is speaking against the Constitution. It is unbecoming to the prime minister to allege that their reservation will be taken away from the Hindus and given to the Muslims. Havanur Commission for Minorities in 1977 has recommended to give reservation. The Chinnappa Reddy Commission has also recommended the same. In 2004, reservation for Muslims in Karnataka was introduced under 2B. 4 per cent reservation was started. Since 1994 till now reservation has remained like that. Basavaraja Bommai removed the 4 per cent reservation for Muslims when he was the Chief Minister. Muslim leaders have filed a petition in the Supreme Court against it, the BJP has filed an affidavit and written a cover letter saying that they will continue the status quo," he said.
Siddaramaiah further accused the Prime Minister of lying and alleged that PM has been indulging in "attempts to polarise."
"Surprisingly, Narendra Modi is speaking as if the reservation is unconstitutional. This is an attempt to polarize. It is a big lie to say that it is being given anew now. Narendra Modi is a master at lying. He said that among the Prime Ministers of independent India, Narendra Modi told the highest lies. There are no constitutional elements except those uttered out of desperation to lose. In the last Lok Sabha elections, the people of Karnataka voted for the BJP and elected 25 people. None of the elected MPs spoke about injustice in Karnataka. There is no use of them going to the Lok Sabha in the name of protecting the interest of the state," he remarked.
"Narendra Modi's promises made in 2014 should be remembered. Bringing black money from abroad did not bring 15 lakhs to everyone, 2 crore jobs were not created per year, farmers' income did not double, and prices of essential items did not decrease. He explained that Acche Din did not come," the Chief Minister added.
The voting on 14 seats was held today in Karnataka alongside 12 other states/Union Territories.
In the second phase, the voting was held in 88 Lok Sabha constituencies across 13 States/Union Territory, including 13 in Rajasthan, 20 in Kerala, eight in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, six in Madhya Pradesh, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and one each in Tripura, Manipur, and Jammu & Kashmir.
The first phase of voting in 102 constituencies across 21 states/UTs were held on April 19. The third phase of the seven-phase parliamentary elections will be held on May 7 and the final phase will be on June 1. The results will be announced on June 4.