CHIKKABALLAPUR/BENGALURU, 20 APRIL 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said big and powerful people in India and abroad have joined hands to remove him from power.

Addressing a public meeting in Chikkaballapur, he said, "Mothers and sisters have come in a large number here. Your struggle and the challenges you face to nurture your family, Modi has seen this in his house. These days, big and powerful people in the country and abroad have united to remove Modi."

"But, because of Nari Shakti and Maatru Shakti's blessings and Suraksha kavach (safety armour), Modi is able to move on fighting challenges. Serving mothers, sisters and daughters and protecting them is Modi's priority," he said, listing out measures taken by his government for women's welfare in 10 years like supporting their self-help groups and creating 'Lakhpati Didis'.

The Prime Minister said the first phase of voting for Lok Sabha on Friday has gone in favour of NDA and 'Viksit Bharat'. Targeting the INDIA bloc, he said the Opposition alliance doesn't have a leader at present, and has no vision for the future, and "their history was of scams."

Praising JD(S) patriarch and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda who shared the stage with him, for his energy and commitment at the age of 90, Modi said he too draws inspiration from him. "His (Gowda) commitment towards Karnataka, the pain in his heart for the plight of Karnataka today and the 'josh' in his voice, is the testimony for Karnataka's bright future," he said. The JD(S) joined the NDA in September last year.

Earlier, in his speech, Gowda hit out at Congress, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar over a sarcasm-laced newspaper advertisement campaign alleging that the Modi government's gift to Karnataka was empty 'Chombu' (a small, round water container).

Pointing at scams like 2G and coal gate during UPA rule under Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi, he said, "After looting the resources of the state and the country during the Congress regime, Modi was given the empty 'Chombu', which the prime minister has turned into 'Akshaya Patre' in 10 years."

Congress changed Tech City to Tanker City: PM

Karnataka Congress government's only focus is corruption, Modi said at an election rally in the capital City. Bengaluru's founder Nadaprabhu Kempegowda had dreamt of a magnificent City, but the Congress government in less time, has ruined the situation here. Congress has changed tech City into tanker City, and has left it to the water mafia, he said.

Plans are being drawn to develop Nandi hills at Chikkaballapur and Kolaramma Temple in Kolar as weekend getaways in recognition of the contribution made by the people of these two districts for the economic growth of the country, Modi said. 

Referring to infrastructure development in the State in the last 10 years, Modi said the number of National Highways running through Karnataka has almost doubled. Now, there are 49 National Highways as against 25 some 10 years back, he said. – PTI/ Salar News