Chikmagalur: While addressing the Media persons in Chikamanglur, Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge on April 24, 2023, said that “After the election, based on the opinions of elected legislators and high command, we will elect the Chief Minister.”

Slamming the BJP, Shri Kharge said, “Politics and religion should not be mixed. Some parties and leaders are trying to mix them these days. Different people in one community can like different parties. Individuals in one household can have different preferences. We should not tend to club them together. Such ideas are regressive and weaken our Democracy and Constitution. My advice to BJP leaders is to not play one community against another for the greed of votes.”

He added, “It is an important election for us not only from the viewpoint of the state but even for the country. Karnataka is generally regarded as a pro-development state and has progressive thoughts, and the Congress Party brought several innovative development schemes here. In terms of administration, it was one of the few well governed states in the country.”

He stated, “But now the type of governance in this state has changed. The BJP Government failed in providing good governance, which they had promised. People have been left disappointed.” He said, “If this 40 per cent commission is extracted from contractors on every work then how can we expect quality in roads, buildings, schools, the health sector, or in any other development works? Everyone is aware of it. The Contractors’ Association brought it to the notice of the PM, the President of India, the Governor, and the Lokayukta. They gave details of how the present state government was looting them. The Congress Party has been raising this everywhere. It has been discussed even in the Vidhana Soudha. But the central government is not uttering a word. Why are they keeping mum?” he further asked.

The Congress President said that the “ED, CBI, vigilance, etc. will appear even for small things against the opposition. They arm-twist our MLAs, MPs, and leaders to defect. As long as these leaders are in another party, they say they are corrupt. But the moment they defect, a clean chit is given to them by BJP. They have a huge ‘Washing Machine’ where they put corrupt politicians and make them clean. That is why, people wish to change this government.”

Kharge Ji’s promise in Karnataka: Will replace CM, if found not performing

Sullia: Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge said on April 25, 2023, that whoever became Chief Minister, if the Congress were to win the elections, would be replaced if he or she did not work to implement the Party’s promises made to the people.

“After assuming power, government should take pro-people, pro-poor measures. Otherwise, the ruling party will become unpopular among the people,” he said.

Kharge Ji remembered that the late leader Smt. Indira Gandhi, through the 10-point programmes during her tenure as the Prime Minister, ushered in reforms in land laws, abolished bonded labour system, implemented nationalisation of banks and abolished privy purses to princely states. People of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts established many independent banks in the district. Shri Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Congress did large scale development all across the country after independence The late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was responsible for the spectacular growth of the country through bank nationalisation, land reforms, and more pro-people measures. Things being so, Prime Minister Narendra Modi questions what Congress has done in the last 70 years, he mused.

“But Modiji merged these independent banks. Vijaya Bank was one such bank that was merged with Bank of Baroda. Now, other people will secure jobs in these banks and they will get profit from it, while people of Karnataka suffer because of the BJP,” he said and added that the region had not benefited from any specific programme from the state or central government. “BJP should first speak about its contribution to this region and then seek votes. They instigate conflicts between religions and ask for votes,” he stressed.

Congress educated all Indians, including Modi, says Kharge Ji

Chikkodi: “Congress educated everyone, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge said in Chikkodi on April 26.

Addressing a rally for the Party candidate, Shri Kharge said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi keeps asking what has the Congress done in 70 years. If he looks around, he will see what our Party has done. We have built dams, public sector undertakings. We have provided education, healthcare and employment opportunities for all. When the country got independence, literacy level was around 16%. Now, it is around 70%. Who made people literate? Who educated all the doctors, engineers, scientists, teachers and lawyers all these years? Congress educated everyone, including Mr. Modi. “Mr. Modi speaks like this because he is vengeful. He has great hatred for the Congress. He targets his opponents mercilessly. He has been creating trouble for (Congress MP) Shri Rahul Gandhi and his family endlessly. The BJP disqualified Rahul Gandhi Ji within 24 hours of a court judgment against him. But the same BJP has not disqualified Narayan Bhai Kachadia, a BJP MP from Gujarat who has been convicted for 3-1/2 years for atrocities on a Dalit doctor.”

He appealed to people to vote in large numbers and ensure that the Congress gets at least 150 seats. “If we get any less, the BJP will steal our MLAs. Just as you lock your houses when going out, you should lock us in the Vidhana Soudha by giving us 150 seats,” he said.

Congress victory in Karnataka will awaken country against BJP’s effort to distort Constitution and shake Democracy

Malavalli: Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Congress Party’s victory in the Assembly elections in Karnataka will create an awakening in the entire country against the BJP government’s alleged efforts to distort the Indian Constitution and shake its Democracy.

Addressing an election meeting at Malavalli in Mandya district on April 29, 2023, Shri Kharge accused the ruling party of sending people to jail for speaking the truth while letting loose Central agencies like Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax, against people who are supportive of progressive ideas.

He claimed that the speeches by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha and himself in the Rajya Sabha had been removed by the BJP government as they dared to ask questions about the huge rise in the wealth of one individual in a short span of two-and-a-half years.

Shri Kharge alleged that Shri Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from the Lok Sabha to silence his voice. In contrast, the Congress President cited the example of BJP MP from Gujarat Narayan Kachchadia, who was not disqualified even after a court sentenced him to 3 years in prison for assaulting a Dalit doctor. “He contested the elections again in 2019, and won.”

Shri Rahul Gandhi was disqualified by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha the same day of the verdict, and was told to vacate the government accommodation provided to him. His electricity connection, water pipeline and telephone lines were disconnected.

He accused the BJP of practicing discrimination in democracy, and warned the public that they too may face a similar fate. “The same situation may come to you. So, you should support the Congress for your well-being”.

Earlier, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President Shri D.K. Shivakumar said that the Congress Party, after its failure to win even a single seat in Mandya district in the 2018 Assembly elections, managed to win not only the elections to the Legislative Council from the South Graduates’ constituency, but also from the local authorities’ constituency.

Also, about 20 leaders from the JD(S), including its MLAs, had quit the party and joined the Congress, giving a glimpse of the internal situation in that party, Shri Shivakumar said.

“If we don’t unite…our next generation’s future will be jeopardised”: Kharge Ji takes a dig at BJP in Karnataka

Shimoga: Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge on April 30, 2023, called upon the people of Karnataka to sought their support in forming the Congress government with an “overwhelming majority”. “This is an important election and unitedly we all need to vote for Congress and support Congress to win an overwhelming majority. If we don’t unite and support Congress today, then our next generation’s future will be jeopardised”.

“We need to remember Gandhiji and Pandit Nehru for their contribution to democracy.

But there are some people these days who did nothing for freedom but claim themselves to be great patriots and nationalists,” he added taking a swipe at the Bhartiya Janata Party. Hailing the previous Congress governments for their work in developing infrastructure and other sectors in the country, the Party President questioned the BJP if they have done anything for the nation.

“It was our leadership- the Congress leadership which built rural villages, primary schools, high schools, ITI, IIS, engineering colleges and medical colleges. What have they done? They are closing schools. Government schools are being closed to promote private schools,” he said. “Since democracy was protected and strengthened by us therefore they are enjoying their rights. This very Democracy enabled Modiji to become the Prime Minister of this country. Otherwise, India would also have become a dictatorship like our neighbouring countries,” Kharge Ji added.

He accused the BJP of peddling lies to seek votes. I can give you many examples. For the existing double road, they add additional two lanes and claim it as their project. They paint an old railway engine and claim it as a new train service between Mysuru to Varanasi. Actually, it was done by us when I was the Railway Minister,” he claimed.

Congress has never insulted Ambedkar, says Shri Kharge

Bhalki: Dismissing the BJP’s criticism of the Congress that the Grand Old Party insulted Dr. B R Ambedkar, AICC Chief Shri Mallikarjun Kharge on May 2, 2023, said that “India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Congress Party recognised Ambedkar’s wisdom and appointed him the Chairman of the drafting committee. This happened when the BJP was not even born.”

“The Congress believes in the ideals of Buddha, Basava, Jyotiba Phule and Dr. Ambedkar. The Constitution framed by the Ambedkar-led committee drew inspiration from Buddha and Basava ideals.” “The BJP uses Dr. Ambedkar’s name just for votes, but the Congress respects and promotes Ambedkar ideologies. The ideologies of the Buddha, Basaveshwara, Phule and Ambedkar are an inspiration for the Congress. We (Congress) take decisions based on the life and thinking of these reformers and personalities,” Shri Kharge added.

The BJP, on the other hand, wants to replace the Constitution with Manusmriti. The Manusmriti puts down the marginalised sections (Shudras) and the women while Ambedkar’s Constitution guarantees equality to all, irrespective of religion, caste and gender,” Congress President said.

“It was Congress which implemented Article 371(J), after amending the Constitution, in Kalyana Karnataka. What’s the contribution of the double-engine government to the region,” he questioned. Criticising the BJP leaders for asking votes in the name of Modi and Amit Shah, he said that the Congress leaders are seeking votes on the basis of development works taken up by Congress legislators.

Congress President ended his speech saying: “Let Shri Modi try hard to bury us (Congress). But he does not know that the Congress is a seed that always grows back stronger.”

Yogi Adityanath will raze homes, says Mallikarjun Kharge

Aland: Addressing a huge public rally in Aland in Kalaburagi district on May 3, 2023, Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge stated that these days the UP CM is coming to Karnataka frequently. Giving the appearance of a saint, wearing saintly clothes, instead of showing the good path of humanity he instigates clashes among people. Kharge ji quoted Chief Minister Yogi who says “jo hamaribaatnahimanenge, usay bulldozer lagakenikaldenge. Is deshmeinnahin rah sakte.” (Whoever doesn’t listen to us, we will get rid of them through the bulldozer, they can’t live in this country.) “I think those who are foreigners should be asked to leave the country, not us who are the natives of this country. So I want to tell you, if you won’t give the vote to the Congress Party then Yogi’s bulldozer will come even here,” Kharge Ji stated.

We’ll implement our poll promises, says Shri Kharge

Shorapur: Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Shri M. Mallikarjun Kharge has said that the Congress will surely implement poll promises made in its manifesto, if it were to come to power. He was addressing an election rally in Yadgir after attending similar rallies in Shorapur and Shahapur on May 4, 2023.

“The Modi government has raised the prices of essential commodities, including petrol, diesel and LPG cylinder. More importantly, the Prime Minister has failed to keep his promise to provide two crore jobs to unemployed youths every year. Thus, the countrymen could not lead a happy life. Considering this, the Congress has prepared a manifesto to help people with five schemes - Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Bhagya, Yuva Nidhi, 10-kilogram free rice to each family and free bus passes to women - and we are committed to implementing these schemes immediately after coming to power,” he said.

Shri Kharge highlighted the benefit of Article 371(J) which was brought in to provide special status to Kalyana Karnataka. He said that the Congress government brought in an amendment to the Constitution to help the backward region and as a result, thousands of unemployed youths have got government jobs and several thousands of students have got admissions to higher studies. He further said that with an aim to developing industry in Yadgir district, he had brought a rail coach factory at Kadechur-Badiyal Industrial Area. “This is what our commitment is. Do they (BJP) have any commitment or vision for the welfare of the people of the State?” he asked.

Shri Kharge, who did not forget to say thanks to Yadgir people, said that my political journey started from Gurmitkal. “The love and affection that was showed by the people towards me was immense. Due to the support of the people, I reached Delhi. And, now, I am requesting you to support the Congress candidates in the district and bless them,” he said.

Shri Mallikarjun Kharge accuses Modi-led govt. of targeting Rahul Gandhi

Afzalpur: Addressing the election rally in Afzalpur Assembly constituency in Kalaburagi district on May 5, 2023, Congress President Shri M. Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Narendra Modi-led government of targeting Congress leader Shri Rahul Gandhi. He said that the Gandhi family has sacrificed for the country and accused the BJP leaders for the manner in which they treated Shri Rahul Gandhi.

Accusing the Modi-led government of making rich people richer and poor people poorer, Shri Kharge said that the top 1% people in India owned 41% of the country’s total wealth. “Big industrialists have defaulted around 5.65 lakh crores and the Modi government did nothing to recover the loan given to them. If a farmer has failed to repay10,000 loan, you will seize his tractor. At the same time, you do nothing to recover the large amount of loans borrowed by the big industrialists. The government at the Centre has written off loans worth `11 lakh crores taken by industrialist friends,” Shri Kharge said.

Terming the BJP government ‘Pro-rich’ and ‘Anti-poor’, Shri Kharge said that the government was channelizing people’s savings in the banks to the corporate entities in the form of loans. “Earlier, the budgetary allocation for MNREGA was 90,000 crores which was later increased to1.5 lakh crores. Now, the Modi government reduced the allocation to `60,000 crores. This shows that it is working against the poor,” Shri Kharge said.

Revisiting the promises made by Mr. Modi, he said that the GDP stands at 6.5% against 10% as promised for 2022. Farmers’ income has not doubled. The BJP has failed to deliver on its promises, and now the people don’t want new ‘Jumlas’ in the 2023 Assembly elections, he said.

Why ED raids only Congress leaders, asks Kharge Ji

Kamalapur: Taking a broadside at the BJP-led Union government over the ‘indiscriminate’ use of the Central agencies like ED against the Congress, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge dared the ruling BJP to send party MLA MadalVirupakshappa, accused in a bribery case, to jail.

Addressing an election rally for Party candidate Revu Naik Belamgi here on May 7, 2023, Kharge Ji said, “You (Modi) keep saying ‘Na khaunga, naakhanedunga’. But you let your partymen indulge in corruption. You claim to have wiped away the tears of many mothers by giving them free gas connection under ‘Ujjwala Yojana’. But you are making them shed tears by increasing the cylinder price,” Kharge Ji charged.

“Manipur is burning. Over 50 people have died there. Five soldiers were martyred in Kashmir. But you are busy holding roadshows and rallies in gullies across the state,” Kharge Ji expressed anguish against Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.