Siddaramaiah Challenges PM Modi to Prove Allegations or Resign
Siddaramaiah, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, has issued a direct challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to prove his allegations made in Akola, Maharashtra, or face political consequences. Speaking at an election rally in Shiggaon, Haveri district, on Sunday night, Siddaramaiah strongly refuted Modi’s claims that the Karnataka Congress had extorted Rs 700 crore through the excise department for use in elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and bypolls.
Siddaramaiah, visibly angered by the Prime Minister’s remarks, stated, “If Modi can prove these allegations, I will retire from politics. But if he cannot, then he should retire.” The Chief Minister emphasized that such serious accusations from the head of the government must be based on truth, which he said was clearly lacking in this case.
Modi had made the claim during a public meeting in Akola, Maharashtra, alleging that the Congress in Karnataka had been involved in extortion, raising funds through liquor shops for use in elections. The Prime Minister had pointed to a rise in such activities in Karnataka during elections in Maharashtra, which he described as an increase in “extortion” activities.
Siddaramaiah criticized Modi, accusing him of spreading falsehoods and misleading the public, adding that India has never witnessed a Prime Minister who lies as much as Modi.
