Karnataka   

Karnataka Assembly polls have national significance, says Advani

BANGALORE: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate, L.K. Advani, on Friday sought to give a national dimension to the Karnataka Assembly polls by categorically stating that it had national significance.

Addressing a public meeting in Anekal town, as part of his one-day poll campaign in three districts of Karnataka, Mr. Advani said the manner in which the voters of the State exercised their franchise in the polls would have a direct bearing on the country’s political future.

“The United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre will not dare to hold an early election to the Lok Sabha if you [voters of Karnataka] give a clear mandate to the BJP. In that case, the UPA will hold Lok Sabha polls only by April/May 2009 as against its reported plans to advance them. This will give some more time to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,” he said.

Mr. Advani alleged that such was the negative impact of the price rise on the lives of people that a large number of poor and middle-class families had either stopped buying foodgrains or were opting for low-quality foodgrains.

Such was the speed in which the prices were increasing that the Congress was reportedly scared that the anger of voters against itmight further increase if it stayed in power till the end of the term of the Lok Sabha in 2009.

“But I want this UPA Government to continue till 2009 so that the anger of people would also increase against it,” he said.

Mr. Advani made a fervent appeal to voters of Karnataka to punish the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) in the elections for the UPA’s alleged failure to properly respond to the problems of the people and the “political betrayal” by the latter.

He said the situation was similar to the Lok Sabha polls held soon after the emergency period when the Congress was defeated for the first time.

Mr. Advani also dwelt at length on the security issue and charged the UPA government with failure, especially in handling terrorism while in contrast, the NDA government had given top priority to crushing terrorism.

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