Siddaramaiah set the tone with ads in major newspapers, challenging BS Yeddyurappa to an open debate ahead of the elections – and the BJP leader has now responded to the dare with a set of snarky tweets.
On Monday, BJP’s Chief Ministerial aspirant Yeddyurappa replied to Siddaramaiah’s challenge to an open debate “on the date and time” suggested by the former and Prime Minister Modi.
Without explicitly mentioning whether he accepted the challenge to a debate, Yeddyurappa replied with a taunt based on an allegation of corruption: “I think your Hublot watch suggests you the right time to show up for a debate.”
The BJP has accused Siddaramaiah of accepting a watch worth Rs 80 lakh from businessman Vijay Eswaran – one of the things that Siddaramaiah has mentioned as defamatory in a legal notice that he has sent to Modi.
“Do get Vijay Eswaran, your fugitive friend along. Do carry the diary of L Govindaraju. Let us also debate: Turning Lokayukta Powerless, Farmers’ suicides, Sand Mafia, Honest Officers' Transfer,” Yeddyurappa said.
“I am sure you will mesmerise me with your insights about: Divisive & Appeasement Politics, The invisible hand of Kempaiah, Crumbling infrastructure of Bengaluru, Waste (Mis)Management, Women Safety, Burning Lakes, Selective withdrawal of criminal cases, Rising lawlessness,” the BJP leader further lashed out.
I think your Hublot watch suggests you the right time to show up for a debate.
— B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) May 7, 2018
1. Do get Vijay Eswaran, your fugitive friend along.
2. Do carry the diary of L Govindaraju.
3. Let us also debate: Turning Lokayukta Powerless, Farmers’ suicides, Sand Mafia, Honest Officers' Transfer https://t.co/OCgfmtOlno
5. You've worked very hard in bringing this Model of (Anti) Development with:
— B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) May 7, 2018
Decreased:
-Growth Rate (GSDP)
-Growth rate of Per Capita Income
-Spending on Education & Health
Increased:
-Interest Payments
-Borrowings
-Debt burden
-Crime
-Corruption#BJPBekuCongressSaaku
4. I am sure you will mesmerise me with your insights about:
— B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) May 7, 2018
Divisive & Appeasement Politics, The invisible hand of Kempaiah, Crumbling infrastructure of Bengaluru, Waste (Mis)Management, Women Safety, Burning Lakes, Selective withdrawal of criminal cases, Rising lawlessness.
On Monday, ads commissioned by the Congress in major newspapers in the state carried a note from Siddaramaiah to Modi and Yeddyurappa: "Why not debate with facts and let the people of Karnataka decide who is truthful?”
“Sri Modi avare, Sri Yeddyurappa avare, Stop making false accusations, allegations. Why not debate with facts and let the people of Karnataka decide who is truthful. In the interest of 6.5 crore Kannidaga’s future, let us have an open debate about our plans for Karnataka before the people of the State,” Siddaramaiah’s note said.
Throwing the ball in the Opposition’s court, Siddaramaiah said, “I am open to come to any place on the date and time suggested by you both.”
Later, in an interview to TNM, Siddaramaiah said that he issued the challenge because BJP was making false allegations. "Let us discuss – what is it they have done in their regime and what is it that we have done as promised? Let us discuss all these things," he said.
He further stated that he did not expect the BJP leaders to take up his challenge. "I don't think they will accept the challenge. They are making false allegations," he said.