Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates: Amit Shah slams Siddarmaiah, says his was the most corrupt government in India

17:17 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury hits out at BJP

“If BJP had any confidence in their own performance, then why is Modi Ji and his honchos of leaders deployed there? This portrays the desperation of the BJP party…because they don’t have the issue in favour of the BJP party. So finding no alternative they (BJP) are harping on Congress. The Karnataka election will be lost by the BJP party," said WB Congress President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

16:25 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

"PM Modi only talks about himself...," Rahul Gandhi in Shivamogga

Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader, slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday for continuously talking about himself at rallies, saying the latter should understand that the Karnataka election was not about him. 

Addressing a rally in Shivamogga, the Congress leader said, "This governmnet of the BJP is a stolen government. BJP stole it three years ago by destroying democracy. Why is the PM Modi not speaking about the corruption done by this government? He should tell what steps he has taken to stop corruption in Karnataka".

#WATCH | Chikkamagaluru: We take the names of all our leaders during public meetings but PM Modi never takes the name of any leaders, he never utters a single word about CM Bommai and BS Yeddiyurappa, he just speaks about himself...: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi… pic.twitter.com/j5iK1VnoQR— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

15:56 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

Amit Shah slams Siddarmaiah, says his was the most corrupt govt in India

Targeting Congress leader Siddaramaiah in his own district, Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged voters on Tuesday to choose between a retiring leader and a future leader, promising to make BJP candidate V Somanna "a big personality" if elected.

Siddaramaiah, who is running in his "last election" from his home seat, is being challenged by Somanna, a Minister from Bengaluru, in an unexpected move by the BJP.

"This Karnataka election is important, and this election in Varuna is even more important. We have fielded Somanna as our candidate from Varuna, you (people) make him MLA and send (to Assembly), I'm telling you that BJP will make him a big personality and bring him back," Shah said.

Addressing a public meeting here in Mysuru district, he said, votes given to Somanna and Revanna (neighbouring T Narasipura BJP candidate)- along with sending them to the Legislative Assembly, will also "ensure the safety" of Karnataka.

"Only PM Modi can make Karnataka developed, prosperous and safe, no one else," he added.

15:39 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

Unfortunate that people question poll promises made for poor, not loan write-offs to the rich: Cong leader HK Patil

Congress heavyweight HK Patil said on Tuesday that it is sad that certain groups criticise his party's electoral pledges made for the poor but not the debt write-off to affluent people. This comes as both the Congress and the BJP released their election manifestos for the May 10 Karnataka assembly elections.

In an interview, Patil claimed that this time, the quality of the campaign had fallen to a very low level, which was bad for the health of the nation's democracy.

Asked how the Congress plans to finance promises made in the election manifesto if elected to power, Patil said: "It is unfortunate that whenever a poll promise is made for the poor, everyone asks these kinds of questions. Did anyone question the Rs 10 lakh crore loan write-off by the Government of India to 523 industrial houses."       

Everyone remains quiet if a loan is written-off to rich people but questions are asked if schemes are announced for the poor, he said.

14:51 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

Congress has lost trust of common people, says PM Modi

In a rally, PM Modi said that Congress has lost the trust of common people and they can only lie in the name of guarantees. 

He also added that Congress had guaranteed to remove poverty from the country but failed to do so, but it's leaders became millionaires and billionaires.

#WATCH | Congress is sitting with a bundle of guarantees these days in Karnataka. The party that has lost the trust of common people and they can only lie in the name of guarantees. Congress guaranteed to remove poverty from the country but failed to do so. On the other hand,… pic.twitter.com/6Tvm6b3lOP— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

14:39 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

Chopper carrying KPCC chief Shivakumar makes emergency landing

Tuesday afternoon, a kite collided with the cockpit glass of the chopper carrying Congress' Karnataka unit president D K Shivakumar, forcing him to make an emergency landing at the HAL airport.

To attend a public gathering, the Congress leader was travelling to Mulbagal in the Kolar district.

A kite struck the helicopter as it took off from Bengaluru's Jakkur airport, according to individuals close to Shivakumar. The glass was shattered during the collision. At the HAL airport, the helicopter had to make an emergency landing.

14:14 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

BJP promises Uniform Civil Code in Karnataka: Which other states may implement it?

The BJP released its election manifesto on Sunday in preparation for the 10 May Karnataka Assembly election.

The ruling party pledged to carry out its intentions to introduce the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) throughout the state, among other pledges.

Read More

14:02 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

Siddaramaiah did nothing but corruption during his tenure says Amit Shah at Mysuru rally

At a rally in Mysuru, Amiti Shah stated that if the Congress party wins the election, the ban on PFI will be lifted. 

He also added that the Congress made Karnataka the ATM of the Center and that Siddaramaiah did nothing but corruption during his tenure. He also stated that Siddaramaiah said that the Lingayat society brought corruption.

Karnataka | If the Congress party comes here and Siddaramaiah wins, the ban on PFI will be lifted. Congress made Karnataka the ATM of the Center. Siddaramaiah did nothing but corruption during his tenure. Siddaramaiah says Lingayat society has brought corruption: Union Home… pic.twitter.com/DrqkEAFofa— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

13:44 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

Modi talks only about himself even in Karnataka election, criticises Rahul Gandhi 

Congress' Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, claiming that he only talks about himself and nothing else, even in the state of Karnataka.

Additionally, he demanded to know why Modi was silent on the subject of corruption in Karnataka and never mentioned Basavaraj Bommai, his party's chief minister, BS Yediyurappa, or state Home Minister Araga Jnanendra.

Gandhi emphasised to the populace that the Karnataka Assembly elections on 10 May are not about Narendra Modi but rather for them and their future generations.

"Have you seen the meeting of the BJP? Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives and does not take the name of any leader. The way I mention the name of former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress state president D K Shivakumar, or Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, but Modi will never talk about their leaders," Gandhi said at a public meeting here in Shivamogga district.

13:21 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

PM slams Congress, says its history is about 'appeasing terror and terrorists'

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Congress' past was about "appeasing terror and terrorists" and that the party has questioned the nation's armed services regarding the timing of the surgical strikes and airstrikes.

The Prime Minister said that the Congress and JD(S) were "encouraging terror" and that they were unable to generate investment in Karnataka or provide new possibilities for the state's young.

"People of Karnataka should never forget Congress' history and thinking. Congress' history is about appeasing terror and terrorists. When the Batla House encounter happened in Delhi, there were tears in the eyes of Congress' top most leader, hearing about the death of terrorists," Modi said.

13:18 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

Actor Shiva Rajkumar participates in Congress rally in Shivamogga 

Son of actor Rajkumar, actor Shiva Rajkumar, took part in today's Congress rally at Shivamogga.

#KarnatakaElection2023 | Actor Shiva Rajkumar, son of actor Rajkumar, participated in the Congress rally in Shivamogga today

"I have come here as a fan of Rahul Gandhi. He recently did the Bharat Jodo Yatra where he walked across the country, I was so inspired by the yatra," he… pic.twitter.com/btezdHkyyI— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

12:44 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

BJP is focusing on imparting medical, engineering education in regional languages: PM Modi

Addressing a rally in Chitradurga, PM Modi said the BJP has been focusing on providing medical and engineering education in regional languages which will benefit the rural people

#WATCH | BJP has been focusing on providing even Medical and Engineering education in the regional languages. This will immensely benefit the rural people. Also, over 400 Eklavya Model Schools have been established for the tribal students. Congress had allocated a meagre budget… pic.twitter.com/3Mzci1Al8k— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

12:42 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

BJP government is a stolen one, claims Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi stated that the BJP governement is a stolen one and that they stole it three years ago by destroying democracy. 

#WATCH | This govt of the BJP is a stolen govt. BJP stole it 3 years ago by destroying democracy. Why is PM Modi not speaking about the corruption done by this govt? He should tell what steps he has taken to stop corruption in Karnataka: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/5rEHWddPcj— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

12:24 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

Need to make Karnataka driving force for Developed India: PM Modi

Making Karnataka a development engine and a driving force for a developed India is necessary, stated PM Modi, in Chitradurga, Karnataka.

PM Modi said that in order to achieve this, the double-engine government must be restored to power.

12:04 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

PM Modi tries to play a traditional instrument in Chitradurga, Karnataka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried his hands on a traditional instrument today in Chitradurga, Karnataka.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried his hands on a traditional instrument today in Chitradurga, Karnataka.#KarnatakaElections pic.twitter.com/HVLnod41rG— ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2023

11:46 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

PM Modi addresses rally in Chitradurga

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public meeting in Chitradurga, Karnataka.

PM Shri @narendramodi addresses public meeting in Chitradurga, Karnataka. #KannadigasWithModi https://t.co/zcn3MCrmA8— BJP (@BJP4India) May 2, 2023

11:35 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

Congress manifesto looks like PFI manifesto, says Assam CM

Talking about the Congress party’s Karnataka poll manifesto, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sharma said, “Congress is saying they will ban Bajrang Dal. Why didn’t they ban PFI? Why did Siddaramaiah withdraw cases against PFI leaders? Why did you align with Muslim League in Kerala. Congress manifesto doesn’t look like a manifesto of a secular party.”

10:54 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

Mallikarjun Kharge releases Congress' Karnataka poll manifesto

At a hotel in Bengaluru, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge unveiled the party's Karnataka election platform. Former chief minister Siddaramaiah and state Congress leader DK Shivakumar were with him.

LIVE: Congress manifesto launch for Karnataka Assembly election, 2023. https://t.co/JJTfPFpzqU— Congress (@INCIndia) May 2, 2023

10:52 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

Congress releases manifesto, promises ban on Bajrang Dal, boost to youths, women

According to the Congress party's poll manifesto, their top promises include allowances for unemployed youths, free travel for women, development of SCs and STs, and a ban on Bajrang Dal, PFI.

The Popular Front of India (PFI), a banned Islamic organisation, and Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the Sangh-affiliated Vishwa Hindu Parishad, were compared in the Congress' manifesto for the 10 May assembly elections in Karnataka. The Congress pledged to outlaw groups that "promote enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities."

It also promised to repeal, within 1 year of coming to power, "all unjust laws and other anti-people laws" passed by the BJP government in the state.

10:27 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

PM Modi to campaign in Cong stronghold Kalaburagi North Assembly Constituency

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will campaign in Chitradurga, Vijayanagar, Sindhanur, and Kalaburagi.

Congress has a stronghold in the Kalaburagi North Assembly Constituency, hence the BJP hopes that this event would assist the party swing votes in their favour.

09:55 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates

Election Commission of India reviews Karnataka Assembly preparations

The Election Commission of India, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, conducted a video conference with the authorities on Monday to discuss the election preparations and the state's law and order situation ahead of the Karnataka Assembly elections.

According to the ECI, the video conference included senior representatives from enforcement agencies such as the Coast Guard, NCB, Income Tax, and border states Goa, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala as well as Chief Secretaries, Director Generals of Police, Nodal Police Officers, and Nodal Officers CAPF.