'Wake up, PM', says Siddaramaiah ahead of Modi's visit

Bengaluru: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bengaluru later this week, the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government on Tuesday mounted a fresh offensive accusing the Centre of not addressing Karnataka's needs.

On X (formerly Twitter), Chief Minister Siddaramaiah fired a #WakeUpPM campaign with digitally-created images showing Modi asleep without responding to the drought situation in Karnataka, clearances for irrigation projects (Upper Krishna and Mahadayi) and claims of corruption under the previous BJP government.

"When the PM dozes, the nation loses! Narendra Modi is always awake for his personal PR & BJP's campaign, but is always seen sleeping on issues concerning Karnataka," Siddaramaiah said.

"A stark reality in Karnataka where central funds are reduced or denied, aspirations of Kannadigas neglected and relief funds from the union government yet to reach the farmers," Siddaramaiah charged. "His mantra? Ignore. Neglect. Sleep. Repeat! BJP MPs mantra? Maintain silence. Fan Modi. Betray Kannadigas. Allow Modi to Sleep Peacefully. Repeat!"

Siddaramaiah asked Modi to "wake up" and that it was "time to ensure the rightful share of Karnataka!"

Reacting to Siddaramaiah, Rajya Sabha BJP member Lahar Singh Siroya said the CM is "getting desparate". In a tweet, Siroya said: "As a seasoned politician, instead of teaching Rahul Gandhi a few things, he is picking up lessons of failure from him. I know all Congress surveys in Karnataka say NDA alliance will win 28 of 28 seats. After that will Siddaramaiah be CM?"

Meanwhile, Rural Development & Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister Priyank Kharge said his attempts to meet his union government counterpart Giriraj Singh went in vain.

"Last week, I tried to meet (Singh) again to impress upon him to increase MGNERGA persondays from 100 to 150 days in 223 drought-hit taluks and release of wage payments of over Rs 400 crore, but to no avail. I am not sure why central ministers are so averse to meeting ministers from Karnataka," Priyank said. "The strong 25 MPs battalion from the state are extremely earnest in listening to PM’s Mann Ki Baat, but are afraid to raise Jan Ki Baat with the central government."

In a letter to Singh, Priyank stated that 31,025 households had availed 100 days of employment till date. He stated that 3.69 lakh households are in range of 81-99 days of employment and are "almost at the 100-day mark".

"As only 90 days are remaining in the current fiscal year, early approval for additional 50 days of employment would help these families avail the benefit and additional days of employment would help them overcome loss in livelihood due to drought," Priyank stated.