In Mysuru, PM Narendra Modi flays 'govt of commission' in Karnataka, flags off new train

BENGALURU: Hitting out at the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in poll-bound Karnataka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the ruling state government of corruption. He asked the people of the state to choose between a government of commission and a government of mission.

"What do you need? A govt of commission or a govt of mission? A govt which asks for 10% Commission to work or a govt which works with the mission for development?" he said.

Addressing a public rally in Mysuru, the Prime Minister said, if given a chance, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will solely work with the mission for development in the state.

"In 2022, India will enter 75 years of its independence. We should work towards making an India which is just like what our freedom fighters had dreamt of," he added.

PM Modi also mentioned two important projects that the BJP will undertake after coming to power. First, widening of Bengaluru-Mysuru National Highway with an investment of Rs 6400 Crore and second, setting up a world class satellite station for Mysuru with an investment of more than Rs 800 Crore.

The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to poll-bound Karnataka. He arrived the southern state on Sunday.

He went on slamming the state government and said, "Post-independence your party had ruled for 70-80% of the time. You are demanding things & facilities today. If you really feel about those things why didn't you do something when you were in power for 50 years."

Earlier today, PM Modi took part in the festivities of Mahamastakabhisheka at the holy pilgrimage of Shravanabelagola, Karnataka. This was the first visit of a Prime Minister to the holy site in 25 years.

He also flagged off the Palace Queen Humsafar Express train at the Mysuru railway station. The train will run from Mysuru to Udaipur in Rajasthan.

Calling it a historical step, PM Modi said that it would boost tourism in Karnataka.

"If we have to fulfill the needs of the poorest of the poor then we need to strengthen our railway network. We are working towards this since last four years," he said.

It is his second visit to the southern state in a fortnight. PM Modi paid a three-hour visit to Bengaluru on February 4, 2018, to address a BJP rally to mark the culmination of the 90-day "Nava Karnataka Nirmana Parivartana Yatre" (journey to build a new Karnataka).

The Assembly elections in Karnataka are due in late April or early May, 2018.