Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates: Say 'Jai Bajrangbali' while casting vote, says PM Modi

11:18 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Political parties step up Karnataka campaign

With one week till the Karnataka assembly elections, political parties have intensified their campaigning, and on Wednesday, prominent leaders of the BJP, Congress, and JD-S spoke at rallies and attended roadshows in an effort to win over voters.

In speeches to crowds in the region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi decried the "abuse culture" among the Congress. JP Nadda, the head of the BJP, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and HD Kumaraswamy, the leader of the Janata Dal-Secular, all ran for office in the state.

Sonia Gandhi, the chief of the Congress parliamentary party, will campaign in Karnataka on 6 May and give a speech at a rally in the Hubbali district, according to sources.

According to the reports, PM Modi will conduct a 36.6-km roadshow on Saturday in Bengaluru that would pass through 17 of the city's assembly districts.

11:16 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Will recite Hanuman Chalisa across the state, says Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje

Shobha Karandlaje, a BJP leader and Union minister, told reporters on Wednesday that party officials will recite the "Hanuman Chalisa" on Thursday at 7pm in all of Karnataka.

This follows the Congress party's recent election platform, which included a promise to outlaw groups like the Bajrang dal.

10:30 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

Say 'Jai Bajrangbali' while casting vote, PM says in Karnataka

In an effort to "punish" the Congress for its "culture of abuse," Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Karnataka voters on Wednesday to chant "Jai Bajrangbali" when they cast their ballots. The BJP was stepping up its criticism of the opposition party for promising to outlaw the Bajrang Dal.

In defending its stance against the right-wing Hindu organisation, the Congress emphasised that it is committed to stopping people and groups that sow the seeds of discord and claimed that the Supreme Court has also called for action against "those spreading hatred."

10:22 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

CM Baghel tweets video of boy using abusive words, calls him Bajrang Dal Member

Bhupesh Baghel, the chief minister of Chhattisgarh, said the youngster in the video was a member of the Bajrang Dal and released it on Twitter. The boy is seen allegedly shouting harsh language against Baghel.

On Wednesday, hours after declaring that the Chhattisgarh government would consider outlawing the Bajrang Dal if the situation called for it, Baghel tweeted the video to his Twitter account.

भगवान राम का नाम लेने से परहेज कर रहा ये बच्चा मुझे गाली दे रहा है. यह बजरंग दल का सदस्य है.

धर्म की आड़ में इन लोगों ने हमारे बच्चों को क्या बना दिया है देखिए.

मैं इस बच्चे के उज्ज्वल भविष्य की कामना करता हूँ.

ईश्वर सभी बच्चों को हनुमान जी की तरह ज्ञानवान और बलवान बनाए. pic.twitter.com/ATJZJiWQ41— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) May 3, 2023

09:47 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

'Ruled for 5 years, did not ban then' says HD Kumaraswamy on row over Congress poll manifesto

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy remarked that the grand old party is raising the matter now but did nothing while they were in power in the state, which sparked a controversy over the Congress manifesto's inclusion of the ban on the Bajrang Dal group.

The comments followed the Congress party's inclusion of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and Bajrang Dal in its programme for the Karnataka Assembly elections on 10 May and pledge to prohibit both outfits if elected to power.

09:43 (IST)

Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE

'Halakki Vokkaliga tribe felt proud...': Padma awardees after meeting PM Modi in Karnataka

Sukri Bommagowda, a recipient of the award, said on Wednesday that the Halakki Vokkaliga community was pleased that the PM Narendra Modi administration has honoured two members of the group with the Padma Shri award. The two recipients were introduced to the Prime Minister in the Karnataka town of Ankola. 

Tulsi Gowda and Sukri Bommagowda were presented with their Padma Shri awards by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday in Ankola.

The Padma Shri recipients Tulsi Gowda and Sukri Bommagowda expressed their delight and joy on meeting PM Modi. 

"I am very happy that PM Modi came here in Ankola. This is for the first time any Prime Minister came here. We all are very happy. Our children were very excited to see him. I gave my love and blessing to him," said Sukri Bommagowda popularly called the nightingale of the Halakki Vokkaliga tribes