Siddaramaiah challenges Modi to debate on corruption

Chandigarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress yesterday, cautioning that the party’s return to power would spell disaster for the State of Haryana.

Speaking at a rally in Gohana, Sonepat, ahead of the Oct. 5 Assembly elections, Modi highlighted the rising support for the BJP, claiming that public trust in Congress is rapidly eroding.

“As the election approaches, the Congress is losing hope, while the support for the BJP is increasing by the day. Voting for Congress is equivalent to risking the State’s stability and halting its development,” Modi declared.

The Prime Minister also criticised Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, pointing to his alleged involvement in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, and drew parallels between the power struggles in Congress-ruled States like Telangana and Himachal Pradesh.

He warned that Congress governance would impede Haryana’s progress and potentially revive issues like terrorism and infiltration by seeking to overturn Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Taking a direct swipe at the Gandhi family, Modi accused Congress of handing over Haryana to “middlemen and sons-in-law,” referring to allegations of corruption and nepotism. He said that the Gandhi family is the most corrupt in the country.

Taking potshots at Robert Vadra — Priyanka Gandhi’s husband — the Prime Minister said Congress handed over the State to “damaad” and no job in the State was given without “kharchi-parchi (bribe)”.

CM Siddaramaiah counters

In a fiery response, CM Siddaramaiah challenged the Prime Minister to a direct debate on corruption, accusing him of lacking the moral standing to discuss the issue.

Taking to ‘X’, Siddaramaiah dared Modi to name a single BJP leader from Karnataka who is “untainted by corruption.” He further accused the Prime Minister of orchestrating false accusations against him, calling out Modi for firing “shots from afar” and urging him to engage in a direct debate on the matter.

“Mr. Modi, I am glad to see you finally talking about corruption. The people of Karnataka have only seen your puppets throwing false allegations at me. Now it’s time for them to know who’s truly behind it all. If you’re ready for a direct debate, I am always ready,” Siddaramaiah declared.