Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning if the BJP became rich by selling tea across the country.
Hitting out at the BJP over its manifesto while addressing media in Hubli (Karnataka), Kumaraswamy said, “BJP has stated in the manifesto that they will run a corruption-free government. What corruption free? Did Modi sell tea around the country and make the party rich? This claim of corruption free government of his is fake.”
“Around 78 lakhs (rupees) was recovered from one BJP leader in Karwar. Where did this money come from?” he asked.
The Karnataka chief minister further said that he does not need to take lessons from Modi on patriotism. His comments come after Modi slammed Congress and JD(S), which are in a coalition in Karnataka, over the February 26 Balakot air strike, accusing the two parties of misleading the people by ‘calling Balakot as Bagalkot’.
“Modi says I am not patriotic. I don’t need to learn patriotism from Modi. When Deve Gowda was the Prime Minister, there was not a single blast in Kashmir. That is our heritage. So do not brand me, you have no right,” Kumaraswamy said.
Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy: PM Modi says I’m not patriotic. I don’t need to learn patriotism from Modi. When Deve Gowda was PM there wasn’t a single blast in Kashmir. That’s our heritage. So don’t brand me, you have no right pic.twitter.com/XKPHtXYE5D
— ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2019
14 constituencies out of 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka went to polls during the second phase of general elections on April 18.
The remaining 14 seats will go to polls in the third phase on April 23. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.
(With ANI inputs)