NEW DELHI: Karnataka minister Shivaraj Tangadagi has stirred controversy by suggesting that youths and students chanting “Modi, Modi” slogans should be slapped. Tangadagi, the Kannada and culture minister, launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led central government, accusing it of failing to fulfill its promise of creating two crore jobs annually.
Speaking at a Congress workers’ meeting in Karatagi, Koppal district, Tangadagi criticized the BJP‘s track record on development and employment generation and said “If any students or youths still say ‘Modi, Modi’ (slogans), they should be slapped.”
He said that the BJP should be ashamed to seek votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, alleging incompetence in delivering on their promises.”They should be ashamed, with what face are they coming to seek votes. They are incompetent to do even a single development work. They had promised to give two crore jobs. Did they give jobs to anyone? When asked for jobs they say — sell ‘pakoras’. They should be ashamed,” Tangadagi said.
“One has to be ashamed. Is it a small thing? They promised two crore jobs a year, it should have been 20 crore jobs now in 10 years,” he added.
Tangadagi’s remarks drew swift condemnation from the BJP, with senior leader C T Ravi denouncing the Congress for stooping to new lows. Ravi criticized the minister’s comments, suggesting they reflect desperation due to the Congress’s anticipated poor performance in the elections.
“Realising that CONgress is going to lose the upcoming Lok Sabha elections very badly, CONgis are stooping to new lows. And they call PM Modi a dictator!” he posted on ‘X’.
The BJP has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, calling for strict action against Tangadagi for violating the Model Code of Conduct. The party demanded that the minister be barred from participating in the election process and campaigning for the Congress.
The BJP expressed concerns that Tangadagi’s remarks could intimidate young voters and deter them from participating in the electoral process. The party emphasized the need for a fair and respectful campaign environment ahead of the elections. “This may create fear among young voters, and they may stay away from voting,” the saffron party said.
(With inputs from agencies)
Speaking at a Congress workers’ meeting in Karatagi, Koppal district, Tangadagi criticized the BJP‘s track record on development and employment generation and said “If any students or youths still say ‘Modi, Modi’ (slogans), they should be slapped.”
He said that the BJP should be ashamed to seek votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, alleging incompetence in delivering on their promises.”They should be ashamed, with what face are they coming to seek votes. They are incompetent to do even a single development work. They had promised to give two crore jobs. Did they give jobs to anyone? When asked for jobs they say — sell ‘pakoras’. They should be ashamed,” Tangadagi said.
“One has to be ashamed. Is it a small thing? They promised two crore jobs a year, it should have been 20 crore jobs now in 10 years,” he added.
Tangadagi’s remarks drew swift condemnation from the BJP, with senior leader C T Ravi denouncing the Congress for stooping to new lows. Ravi criticized the minister’s comments, suggesting they reflect desperation due to the Congress’s anticipated poor performance in the elections.
“Realising that CONgress is going to lose the upcoming Lok Sabha elections very badly, CONgis are stooping to new lows. And they call PM Modi a dictator!” he posted on ‘X’.
The BJP has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, calling for strict action against Tangadagi for violating the Model Code of Conduct. The party demanded that the minister be barred from participating in the election process and campaigning for the Congress.
The BJP expressed concerns that Tangadagi’s remarks could intimidate young voters and deter them from participating in the electoral process. The party emphasized the need for a fair and respectful campaign environment ahead of the elections. “This may create fear among young voters, and they may stay away from voting,” the saffron party said.
(With inputs from agencies)
