A political feud has erupted in Karnataka as Lok Sabha elections approach, with Congress and the BJP-JDS alliance clashing over a mug-themed ad. BJP accuses Congress of empty promises, while Congress defends its commitment. Leaders from both sides trade barbs, with Siddaramaiah and Vijayendra leading the charge. Rahul Gandhi accuses JDS of aligning with BJP, drawing a sharp response from H.D. Deve Gowda.
As the Lok Sabha elections draw near, a heated political feud has erupted between the state Congress unit and the BJP-JDS alliance over an advertisement campaign centred on mugs. The controversy arose from a recent Congress ad implying that victory for BJP-JDS candidates would result in the distribution of mugs to the public. This has sparked a fiery exchange between the rival political camps.
The BJP leaders, visibly outraged by the ad, retorted by accusing the Congress of making empty promises to the public. BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra asserted that it was their party, not Congress, that had delivered tangible benefits to the people through its guarantees. Opposition leader R. Ashok chimed in, declaring that the electorate would reciprocate by serving a dose of defeat to the Congress.
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However, the Congress leaders stood firm, defending their stance. They pointed to mug's statement as a valid expression of their party's commitment to the people's welfare.
Responding to the BJP's criticism, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar dismissed the BJP's promises as mere rhetoric, labelling them as 'empty cups'. They challenged the BJP's track record, questioning whether the party in power at the centre had fulfilled any of its electoral pledges.
"What BJP has given to the state is not just a mug; it is an empty mug. The Center has not given even a single penny to the state for drought relief. As Modi said, Did Achche Din come for the people of the state? 25 MPs of the BJP have asked us to pay our share. Which is why we stated, BJP has given only 'mug' to the people of the state."
- Siddaramaiah, CM
"What is the hat Congress has put on the people of the state by saying guarantee, guarantee? 10 kg of rice will be given for state, did they give? Hat was given. It is not enough to give a cup of water to their worth, now they are openly doing the work of taking away the dignity of the people of the state. Congress is now giving people a mug of credit."
- B.Y. Vijayendra, BJP State President.
"I had said during the last assembly elections that JDS are the 'B' team of BJP. My words are now true. Now JDS has become not only BJP's 'B' team but BJP's partner. JDS are now talking like the BJP's spokesperson. They have allied themselves with communalist BJP, abandoning the secular philosophy."
- Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader.
"Yes, I am BJP's 'B' team leader. If so, where did your grandfather, grandmother, or father compete in the past? Where did you and your mother compete? Now you ran to Wayanad in Kerala, Rahul. Where is your team in your home ground? Who is the prime ministerial candidate of your 'A' team, 'B' team?"
- H.D. Deve Gowda, former Prime Minister.