BENGALURU: War of words between the ruling Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is heating up ahead of the closely-watched assembly elections in Karnataka. In an all-out attack on the BJP, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday called the opposition party 'spineless' while the BJP hit back questioning the comprehension capabilities of the CM and Congress President Rahul Gandhi.
The Twitter war began after Rahul Gandhi on March 20 blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for writing off loans of noted businessmen but not doing anything for farmers. "In last few years, BJP government waived off loans of 2.5 lakh crore of 15 richest people. When farmers talk of loan waiver, PM Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley say it isn't their policy. Siddharamaih ji and Congress government in Karnataka waived off loans of Rs 8,000 crore of farmers of Karnataka," Rahul had said while addressing a rally in Karnataka.
Hitting back at Rahul, the Karnataka BJP went on the front foot claiming that the 'lies' of the grand old party had been detected. "Banks have not waived off corporate loans, they have written off, meaning they will recover it. From someone who doesn't understand difference b/w bhrastachaar & balatkaar, it is unfair to expect understanding of difference between loan waiver & loan write off," the BJP tweeted.
Banks have not waived off corporate loans, they have written off, meaning they will recover it.
From someone who doesn't understand difference b/w bhrastachaar & balatkaar, it is unfair to expect understanding of difference between loan waiver & loan write off. https://t.co/wkDTsvisTF
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) March 20, 2018
Taking the fight head-on, CM Siddaramaiah responded to the BJP saying it was good that the party accepted that the loans had been written off. "Good! At least you admit the loans of large industrialists have been written off. Now, please join us in requesting PM @narendramodi to write off the loans of our farmers if they can’t be waived. Please show that yours is not a #suitbootkisarkar," he said.
Good! At least you admit the loans of large industrialists have been written off.
Now, please join us in requesting PM @narendramodi to write off the loans of our farmers if they can’t be waived.
Please show that yours is not a #suitbootkisarkar https://t.co/tVl8gBW1a1
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) March 20, 2018
The BJP too also seemed in no mood to hold it itself back and passed a snide remark on the Congress President. "Looks like Rahul isn't only one who doesn't get difference b/w write off & loan waiver! CM is asking to fool farmers by writing off loans but continue recovery! Fooling is your dept, Sir! Only a lapsed socialist will wear a Rs 70 lakh Hublot watch & accuse others of #SuitBoot!," the Karnataka BJP tweeted.
But even after the attack and counter-attack, the war did not end. Two days later, on Thursday, Siddaramaiah again took up the battle calling the BJP spineless and lashed out at them for giving accountancy lessons on Twitter. "The Karnataka BJP is so spineless that instead of asking the center to waive farmers’ loans it is giving accountancy lessons on Twitter. People will not be fooled. Center can write off lakhs of crores of a few industrialists but can’t give debt relief to crores of farmers," Siddaramaiah said.
Soon after, the BJP responded by targetted the Congress leaders again for not being able to understand accountancy terms. "Yes, we were wrong in teaching accountancy. We realise it is beyond you and your boss's comprehension levels! Talking about spine, UP & MH CM's exhibited their spine by waiving farm loans without centre's help. If you have one, why don't follow suit & waive farm loans yourself?," the BJP tweeted.
Yes, we were wrong in teaching accountacy. We realise it is beyond you and your boss's comprehension levels!
Talking about spine, UP & MH CM's exhibited their spine by waiving farm loans without centre's help. If you have one, why don't follow suit & waive farm loans yourself? https://t.co/58U47P1qcW
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) March 22, 2018
As the election season comes close, this war of words is certain to intensify. The current tenure of the Karnataka assembly will end on May 28, 2018. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is likely to visit Karnataka in the first week of April 2018 and declare the election dates in mid April.
