Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday continued his attack on the Congress in the run up to the Karnataka Assembly elections, which will be held on May 12. At a rally in Chitradurga, Modi said that the Congress did not have the interests of the people and Dalits at heart, and were only interested in deals. “Congress does not care about Dil or Dalits. They only care about deals. If they cannot do welfare, then they should be bid farewell.”

In a reference to Tipu Sultan, he said that the party had insulted the people by celebrating the birthdays of sultans. “They do not know, whom they should remember and celebrate.”

He also reiterated that the party was “looting the state”. “The longer they stay, the longer they will loot”. The prime minister said that his government at the Centre has the interest of the SC/ST community at heart and that they have worked to strengthen the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. But, “Congress is uncomfortable and is misleading the name of Dalit community because today the highest offices of the land are occupied by people from poor and humble backgrounds,” the Hindustan Times quoted Modi as saying on Sunday. Modi is expected to address more rallies in the state through the day.

At his next rally in Raichur, the prime minister claimed Congress protects corrupt people, makes several false promises, and has divided Karnataka. “BJP is committed to development while Congress is opposed to it at every step. The Congress protects the corrupt,” Modi claimed. “Congress only makes false promises and never fulfilled any when they were in power.”

He repeated that it was time to bid farewell to the Congress as they have not done any work in the state “apart from levelling charges against me”. He reiterated that the Congress is against the backward classes and was looting the state.

Modi added that his government had brought in a law to hang rapists. “The crimes against women are always in the news. With vicious mindsets, some people assault our daughters,” he said.

Some opinion polls have predicted that neither the Congress nor the Bharatiya Janata Party will win a clear majority in the 224-member House, and that there is a high possibility of local outfit Janata Dal (Secular) playing the kingmaker. Referring to this, Modi said, “People are spreading rumours about a hung Assembly. JD(S) is far behind.”

At a rally in Belagavi, Bharatiya Janata Party National President Amit Shah claimed that BS Yeddyurappa would solve the Mahadayi river dispute in Goa in six months if he becomes chief minister of Karnataka, ANI reported.

On Saturday, both Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi had attacked each other at campaign events. Modi had also alleged that regional outfit Janata Dal (Secular) would support Gandhi’s party in the upcoming elections.