I’m fine with being a snake garland on the necks of people who are like Lord Shiva: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Congress as a corrupt dispensation which demanded 85% commission. He was addressinh a public meeting in Kolar as part of the campaign for the ruling BJP for the May 10 assembly elections in Karnataka. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi again chose to respond to the Congress’ jibe of poisonous snake against him by saying that the snake was a garland on the neck of Lord Shiva and that he would accept being a snake on the necks of the people of the country, whom he considered Lord Shiva. 

“The main issue for the Congress this Karnataka polls is “poisonous snake”. They are comparing me to the snake and seeking votes from people. But the snake is a garland on Bhagwan Shankar’s neck. For me, people of the country are like Lord Shiva. Hence I accept being a snake on the necks of the people of the country who are like Lord Shiva to me,” the prime minister remarked while addressing a public meeting in Kolar as part of the campaign for the ruling BJP for the May 10 assembly elections in Karnataka. 

“But I know that people of Karnataka will give a befitting reply to the Congress through their votes for making such remarks against me. The anger of the people of Karnataka, which is the land of saints and cultural heritage, will show up in the ballot box on May 10,” he said. 

It may be noted that AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge had described Mr. Modi as a poisonous snake recently, triggering a controversy. 

Turning the tables on the Congress, which has been accusing the BJP government in Karnataka of demanding 40% commission from contractors for clearing their bills, Mr. Modi remarked that the main identity of the Congress was being a dispensation of 85% commission.

“I am not making such an allegation. This was admitted by a tall leader of the Congress and the then prime minister. This Congress leader used to proudly say proudly that if he sends one rupee from Delhi, only 15 paisa would reach the ground,” the PM said and remarked that it was an indication that the Congress was receiving 85% commission. 

“On the other hand, however much money is being sent by the BJP government from the Centre, it is reaching the beneficiaries 100%. In fact, we sent ₹29 lakh crore rupees in the last nine years to beneficiaries’ accounts through direct benefit transfer. If there was a Congress dispensation, considering its 85% commission about ₹24 lakh crore would not have reached beneficiaries,” he alleged and urged people to imagine how much money could have been stored by the Congress leaders in their wallets.