HDK: 'Media shows Modi because he puts make-up'

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy hit the streets of Bengaluru for the first time this election season to campaign for Congress’ Krishna Byre Gowda in the Bangalore North Lok Sabha constituency. He attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi during electioneering.

Kumaraswamy toured Yeshwanthpur, Dasarahalli, Mahalakshmi Layout constituencies and parts of the Rajarajeshwari Nagar segment.

“BJP leaders, wherever you see, are seeking votes not for their candidates, but for Modi,” Kumaraswamy said. “Modi wakes up every morning, applies makeup or wax to get a shine on his face and sits in front of cameras. But we take bath once in the morning and wash our face only the next day. So, our faces don’t look good on cameras. That’s why even the media shows only Modi. But what has Modi done for Karnataka? How has he treated Kannadigas?” Kumaraswamy asked.

Bangalore North was initially given to the JD(S) as the seat is believed to have sizable Vokkaliga votes. JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda considered contesting from here, but later chose Tumkur. The seat was returned to the Congress and Byre Gowda was chosen as the candidate.

Kumaraswamy hit out at Modi for ‘politicising’ national security. “H D Deve Gowda was prime minister for 10 months. Wasn’t there peace then? Where were the terrorists then? But it’s as though Modi is the only one who tackled the issue of terrorism,” he said.

He also responded to BJP leader K S Eshwarappa’s statement. “He said I’d die after the Lok Sabha election. I won’t die so easily, because I have your (voters) blessings. This government is secure,” he said.

Kumaraswamy was joined later by Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah, who spent the day campaigning for Rizwan Arshad in the Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency.

Arshad is up against BJP’s incumbent PC Mohan. “Mohan hasn’t spoken even once about Bengaluru in Parliament. Should he go to Lok Sabha again,” Siddaramaiah asked voters during his rally.