Even as Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, launched a campaign focussed on cow protection, nationalism and cracking down on extremist Muslims, terrorists and criminals in Karnataka, on Thursday he came under criticism for not being in UP, where people have lost lives due to the storm.
ALSO READ:Over 100 killed in dust storm in UP and Rajasthan
The monk-turned politician will address six public meetings in the home stretch of campaigning before Karnataka goes to poll on May 12. Yogi Adityanath is scheduled to be in the state till Saturday. He will return state next week for a final round of campaigning.
At least 64 people have lost their lives due to a storm in Uttar Pradesh. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones.
I am sorry your CM is needed here in Karnataka. I am sure he will return soon & attend to his work there. https://t.co/RwgDrhdn82
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 3, 2018
If you do an interview with the CM of UP & don’t ask him why campaigning in Karnataka is a bigger priority than visiting some of the families who lost loved ones in the dust storms then it’s a puff piece, not an interview.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 4, 2018
Meanwhile, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah also took to twitter to rebut theaccusationsmade by Prime Minister Modi and Yogi Adityanath during their respective campaigns. Yogi had accused Siddaramaiah of protecting jihadi elements. “If we have to keep our coming generations safe, then we will need a government that deals with jihadi,” the UP Chief Minister said while addressing an election rally in Karnataka’s Shimoga.
With hashtag #ModiHitWicket, Siddaramaiah posed a question to Modi as he arrived for extensive canvassing in Kalaburagi, Ballari and Bengaluru. “Dear PM Modi, As you arrive in Bellary, we look forward to hear your commentary on corruption. Don’t forget to mention Reddy’s record scam score” of 35,000 cr & still not out,” he tweeted.
ALSO READ: Battle For Karnataka: BJP accuses Congress of polarising people of K’taka
Siddaramaiah also retweeted former AAP leader Yogendra Yadav’s tweet pointing to an alleged gaffe by Modi during his Kalaburagi speech. Modi said the Congress is a party that has disrespected the armed forces. “Forgetting the national heroes, patriots and history is the nature of a family in the Congress. (Jawaharlal) Nehru and V K Krishna Menon insulted General (KS) Thimayya, who had to resign. They neglected General (K M) Cariappa,” Modi told an election rally, as he sought to connect with the voters of the home state of the two legends of the Army.”
Modi said, “India defeated Pakistan in 1948 under the leadership of Field Marshal Thimayya. But after the valour of General Thimayya who saved Kashmir was repeatedly insulted by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the then defence minister V K Krishna Menon and because of which General Thimayya had to resign from his post. I want the new generation of Karnataka to know about Congress party’s attitude towards the chief of army, who was the son of Karnataka.”
Yadav tweeted, “No sir, Krishna Menon was the Defence Minister from April 1957 to October 1962. Thimayya was Army Chief from May 1957 to May 1961. Sir can’t the PMO afford a fact-checker? It’s so embarrassing!” Siddaramaiah tweeted that Karnataka holds its revered son Field Marshal K M Cariappa in high esteem.