You are ''naamdaar'' and I''m ''kaamdar'', Modi tells Rahul Gandhi at Mysuru rally

Santemaranahalli (Karnataka), May 1

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched his campaign blitzkrieg in Karnataka, unleashing a blistering attack on Rahul Gandhi and daring him "to speak in any language" for 15 minutes about the achievements of the Siddaramaiah government without reading out from piece of paper.

He accused the state's Congress government, which he claimed was steeped in corruption, of thwarting the Centre's efforts for development.

Hitting out at the Congress president, Modi also said those currently leading the party had "no understanding" of history and the country's legacy.

"I dare the Congress president to speak in Hindi, English or the mother tongue of his mother to deliver a speech in Karnataka for 15 minutes, without reading out from a piece of paper, on the achievements of the party government... people of Karnataka will draw their own conclusion," he told an election rally here.Modi was responding to Rahul Gandhi's dare to him to allow him to speak for 15 minutes in Parliament on various issues, including corruption.

"His speaking for 15 minutes will itself is a big thing. And when I hear that I would not be able to sit, I think...wow, what a scene it is! Congress president, sir, we cannot sit before you. You are 'naamdar' (famous), while I am 'kaamdar' (ordinary worker). We have no status to sit in front of you," he said.

Addressing the first of the 15 election rallies he is scheduled to address over the next few days, Modi claimed "a storm and not a simple wave" was blowing in the BJP's favour in the state.

Greeting the workers on the occasion of "May Day", Modi also took a dig at Gandhi for not acknowledging the contribution of workers towards 100 per cent electrification of villages achieved under his government.

"April 28th is a day that will be written in golden" letters in country's history, because our hardworking people" made electricity reach the last un-electrified village Leisang in Manipur."

"But the new leader of the Congress did not utter two words of praise for the workers who made it possible," Modi said.

'2 Reddys + 1 Yeddy'

Hitting back at the Prime Minister for his "2+1 formula" jibe, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said Narendra Modi's formula to win the assembly election in the state is "2 Reddys + 1 Yeddy".

Attacking Modi over BJP fielding brothers of tainted mining baron G Janrdhan Reddy in the assembly elections, the Chief Minister said "2 Reddys + 1 Yeddy was Modi's formula to win election.

"I don't (sic) know about me but you have a 2+1 formula PM Sir," he said in a tweet.

"Today PM avoided talking about his complicity in closing CBI cases against the Reddy bros. Instead he spoke about some 2+1 formula. Here is the explanation to his formula to win election. 2 Reddys + 1 Yeddy. #2Reddy1Yeddy," he said in a second tweet.

'Yeddy' is a reference to BJP's chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa.
 

Pointing out that even Modi contested from two constituencies-Varanasi and Vadodara -in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Chief Minister told the Prime Minister to worry about his party not crossing 60-70 seats.

"Was it fear that drove you to contest from 2 parliamentary constituencies (Varanasi & Vadodara) Mr.PM" @narendramodi ? Of course you are a 56 inch man, you would have some clever explanation!! Forget 2 seats, Sir. Worry about the fact that your party will not cross 60-70!"Siddaramaiah tweeted.
 

Was it fear that drove you to contest from 2 parliamentary constituencies (Varanasi & Vadodara) Mr. PM @narendramodi ? Of course you are a 56 inch man, you would have some clever explanation!!

Forget 2 seats, Sir. Worry about the fact that your party will not cross 60-70! https://t.co/Hr3V5x6sDE

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 1, 2018

Today PM avoided talking about his complicity in closing CBI cases against the Reddy bros. Instead he spoke about some 2+1 formula.

Here is the explanation to his formula to win election. 2 Reddys + 1 Yeddy.#2Reddy1Yeddy https://t.co/FozyhwOyHA

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 1, 2018

I dont know about me but you have a 2+1 formula PM Sir.#2Reddy1Yeddy

Karnataka da Hemme#CongressMathomme https://t.co/xfZDRDkt2U

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 1, 2018

Crime is not increasing in Karnataka abnormally. PM repeats the lie of increasing crime rate for political purposes. I challenge him for an open debate on a single platform on crime & law & order situation in Karnataka vis-a-viz BJP ruled states. https://t.co/3t7Gx57mo1

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 1, 2018