No Modi wave: K’taka CM Siddaramaiah
BENGALURU: Ruling out the presence of a "Modi wave," Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Saturday said the BJP won the UP assembly polls using "Hindutva card" with the anti-incumbency against the Akhilesh government too playing a role in its win.
"Polarisation of votes... they played the Hindutva card very extensively. Anti-imcumbency (against the Akh- ilesh government) too had a role," Siddaramaiah told reporters here.
"We, however, have to respect the people's mandate."
Differing that there was a "Modi wave," Siddaramaiah asked as to why the BJP did not win in Punjab if it was there. He, however, added that the success of the "Hindutva card" was confined to Uttar Pradesh only.
He said the family feud in the Yadav family and the anti- incumbency too were the factors that contributed to the BJP'S success.
Responding to a query, Siddaramaiah dismissed the BJP'S claim that he was also facing anti-incumbency.
"There is no anti-incumbency in Karnataka. It seems the BJP has not forgotten the sins they committed while in power."
Spurred by the spectacular victory in the assembly polls, the Karnataka BJP, meanwhile, said the outcome would have a bearing on the state also, where the party is hoping to come back to the power in elections due early next year.
Asserting that the "Modi wave" was sweeping across the country, the BJP state unit president B S Yeddyurappa said it would "naturally" have an impact on Karnataka too.
"We have received people's support beyond our expectations. It is a victory for Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. MUMBAI: Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday said PM Narendra Modi has emerged as the "most dominant political figure" after the assembly polls, while seeking to differ that the election results are a referendum on note ban. The results will increase the BJP'S tally in the Upper House and a majority there will make it possible for the NDA government to start radical reforms during its remaining term to accelerate the economic growth, the Congress leader said.
"The elections today have clearly established that the most dominant political figure in India is Prime Minister Modi. And he has a pan-india appeal," Chidambaram told a gathering at Indian Merchants Chamber here.
Stating that the BJP tally in Rajya Sabha will increase, he said the government will enjoy a majority in both houses which will enable it to "pass virtually any Bill" as the political obstacles go off.
This climate will help accelerate the GDP growth to 8 per cent, which is a prerequisite to make India a prosperous and rich society, he said adding the current 7 per cent expansion does not help create new jobs.
"The political conditions are present for that today, but I don't know whether they have identified the other things which have to be done to make that happen," he said.
The former finance minister stressed that for the real reform, the conditions like stopping gratuitous intervention in markets by the government, reconstructing bureaucracy and creating an ethical and equitable society are also necessary.