Priyank Kharge, a Congress MLA, suggested Prime Minister Narendra Modi study Karnataka’s political past before making any decisions in response to his recent criticism of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s leadership.
In response to Modi’s doubts about Siddaramaiah’s term in office, Kharge told ANI in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, that the BJP has a track record of abruptly changing leadership. “The Prime Minister should update his knowledge of Karnataka’s political landscape,” stated Kharge. He emphasized that in less than eight years, the BJP had five chief ministers during its tenure.
Priyank Kharge also criticized the functioning of the BJP, calling their administration the “40 percent government,” as reported by the media. He reminded everyone that following the overthrow of the BJP government, the Congress received one of the largest mandates in recent memory, comprising 136 seats.
The people have given us the largest mandate—136 seats—in the last 35 to 40 years, and his [Modi’s] government was ousted in Karnataka. Newspapers dubbed his government the forty percent government, labeling it the most corrupt in the nation. According to the Karnataka Minister, that is the BJP’s legacy in the state.
The people have given us the largest mandate—136 seats—in the last 35 to 40 years, and his [Modi’s] government was ousted in Karnataka.
Underscoring the preparedness for political discourse, Kharge advised the Prime Minister to deepen his knowledge of Karnataka politics prior to initiating talks. “Many times, the prime minister gives monologues. We can debate when he’s prepared to engage in conversation,” said Kharge.
Kharge said that the Chief Minister’s term is a party internal matter in response to inquiries about it. Additionally, he emphasized previous power struggles within the Karnataka Congress, specifically the rivalry between Deputy DK Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
By bringing up cases in which candidates were changed or people were appointed to different roles, Kharge called attention to the way the BJP treats its own Chief Ministers. In making such decisions, he questioned the party’s stability and control.
Speaking about the state assembly elections that are coming up, Kharge asserted his belief in the chances of the Congress, blaming the BJP for its alleged shortcomings in central economic policies and saying they expect to win all five states.
