With just four days to go for the elections in Karnataka, the state Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah has raised the stakes. On Monday, 7 May, ads commissioned by the Congress in major newspapers in the state carried a challenge from Siddaramaiah to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former CM and BJP’s Chief Ministerial hopeful, BS Yeddyurappa: "Why not debate with facts and let the people of Karnataka decide who is truthful?”
The challenge for the open debate was issued in a note signed by Siddaramaiah. Taking the fight to PM Modi and Yeddyurappa, CM Siddaramaiah pointed out that the Congress government in the state had delivered as promised, and that the BJP was making false accusations against them.
“Sri Modi avare, Sri Yeddyurappa avare, Stop making false accusations, allegations,” the ad said.
Why not debate with facts and let the people of Karnataka decide who is truthful. In the interest of 6.5 crore Kannidagas’ future, let us have an open debate about our plans for Karnataka before the people of the state.Siddaramaiah’s note
Throwing the ball in the opposition’s court, the ad said, “I am open to come to any place on the date and time suggested by you both.”
The note was also shared on the CM's social media platforms.
Speaking to The News Minute, Siddaramaiah explained that he issued the challenge because BJP was making false allegations. "Let us discuss – what is it they have done in their regime and what is it that we have done as promised? Let us discuss all these things," he said.
He further stated that he did not expect the BJP leaders to take up his challenge. "I don't think they will accept the challenge. They are making false allegations," he said.
Further on Twitter, Siddaramaiah enumerated five reasons why people should not vote for the BJP – as a precursor to the debate that he has proposed.
One of the points said, “BJP has no respect for freedom: freedom to live the life the way people want. Once in power, they will impose a dress code, food code, and a code on who you can love. Above all, they will impose Hindi over Kannada.”
This is not the first time the CM has challenged PM Modi for an open debate.
On 1 May , reacting to the Prime Minister's speech in Udupi where he criticised the ruling Congress government for the alleged murders of dozens of BJP activists, Siddaramaiah tweeted:
He also lashed out at Prime Minister Modi in a press conference in Bengaluru on Sunday for lowering the bar of discourse in the run-up to elections in Karnataka.
(Published in an arrangement with The News Minute)
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