Cong, BJP turning Karnataka into virtual battleground

Bangalore, Apr 30: The Congress and BJP have turned the Karnataka Assembly elections into a virtual battleground, with campaigning increasingly getting fierce, nasty, personal and bitter.

BJP star campaigner Narendra Modi's repeated attack on Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi at a public rally here has evoked sharp reaction from the latter's party leaders here, who have questioned the Gujarat Chief Minister's development model.

Modi is slated for a "final offensive" on May two, a day before campaigning for the May five polls would end, addressing rallies in Belgaum and Mangalore seeking to "swing that one per cent vote", as one BJP leader put it.

BJP President Rajnath Singh, senior leaders L K Advani and Sushma Swaraj have actively participated in campaigning in recent days as the party, fighting anti-incumbency factor, is determined to give its best shot at efforts to retain power, which as of now looks a tall order.

Smelling blood, the Congress is leaving no stone unturned to storm into power, enthused as it is by some poll surveys which predicted that the party is the front-runner to form Government.

Rahul is slated to address three rallies -- Mandya, Hassan and Belgaum -- tomorrow, while Congress President Sonia Gandhi likely to address public meetings in Gulbarga and here a day later, subject to final confirmation.

In sharp contrast, barring former Chief Minister H D Deve Gowda and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, JDS doesn't have any star campaigners, and the latter has entirely shouldered responsibility.

Corruption has emerged as the main campaign theme with the Congress accusing the BJP of being the "most corrupt" government the State has seen, while the ruling party sought to turn the tables seeking to highlight 2G and Commonwealth Games scams under UPA.

The Congress has promised to give a stable and corruption-free government, if voted to power. BJP, on the other hand, stressed that despite "small internal turbulence", the party's record on the development front is excellent and urged the people to vote for it on that basis.

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PM Modi vows to strengthen India-Maldives ties, inks currency swap deal with President Muizzu

News Network

October 7,2024

New Delhi: Seeking to strengthen bilateral ties, India and the Maldives on Monday inked a currency swap agreement to the tune of $400 million, a move that would help the archipelago nation overcome foreign exchange reserve issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu also launched Rupay card in the Maldives, inaugurated the new runway at the Hanimadhoo International airport and agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations that had hit a rocky patch last year.

Muizzu, who is on a four-day state visit, held talks with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House here.

After the talks, India also handed over 700 social housing units to the Maldives built under the EXIM Bank’s buyer’s credit facilities.

"Today, we have inaugurated the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo Airport. Now, the Greater Male Connectivity Project will also be expedited. We will also support the development of a new commercial port in Thilafushi," Modi told reporters here with Muizzu by his side.

Modi said India and Maldives have decided to initiate discussion on the Free Trade Agreement to further strengthen economic ties.

The prime minister described Maldives as a "close friend" which had an important position in India's neighbourhood policy and SAGAR vision.

"India has always fulfilled the responsibilities of a neighbour. Today, we have taken up the vision of a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership to give our mutual cooperation a strategic direction," Modi said.

Earlier, Muizzu was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Droupadi Murmu. Prime Minister Modi was also present on the occasion.

Muizzu was given a tri-services guard of honour before he drove down the Rajghat to offer his respects at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November.

Muizzu won the presidential election last year on the 'India out' campaign and asked New Delhi to withdraw its military personnel posted in the archipelago nation by May this year.

The bilateral ties also hit a rocky patch when Maldivian ministers were critical of Modi. However, Muizzu has since toned down his anti-India stance and even sacked ministers who were critical of the Indian prime minister.

As the Maldives was grappling with a serious economic downturn, India has decided to extend vital budgetary support to the Maldives government with the rollover of a $50 million Treasury Bill for another year.

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