Yogi Adityanath cuts short Karnataka campaign, a day after Siddaramaiah's barb

A day after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah attacked Yogi Adityanath for electioneering in the state as over 60 people died in Uttar Pradesh after a heavy dust storm swept through northern India, Adityanath cut short his visit by one day.

He will return to UP on Friday night to monitor relief work. Adityanath was expected to campaign in Karnataka until Sunday afternoon, however, he has now left to Agra, which saw 43 deaths in all in the heavy storm.

Meteorologists have predicted more rains and storm in northern India in the coming days.

“At least 64 people have lost their lives due to a storm in Uttar Pradesh. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. I am sorry your CM is needed here in Karnataka. I am sure he will return soon & attend to his work there,” Siddaramaiah tweeted.

At least 64 people have lost their lives due to a storm in Uttar Pradesh. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones.

I am sorry your CM is needed here in Karnataka. I am sure he will return soon & attend to his work there. https://t.co/RwgDrhdn82

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 3, 2018

Other political leaders too jumped in the fray and attacked Adityanath for trying to win votes in Karnataka, when his own state desperately needed his attention.

"CM was supposed to come back up immediately by excluding Karnataka's election promotion. The public has chosen them to address the problems of their territories, not to the politics of Karnataka. Even if they do not come back in these circumstances, then they always make their own monastery. @CMOfficeUP," Akhilesh Yadav tweeted on Thursday.

CM को कर्नाटक का चुनाव प्रचार छोड़कर तुरंत यूपी वापस आना चाहिए था. जनता ने उन्हें अपने प्रदेश की समस्याओं के समाधान के लिए चुना है, नाकि कर्नाटक की राजनीति के लिए. इन हालातों में भी अगर वो वापस नहीं आते हैं, तो फिर वो हमेशा के लिए अपना मठ वहीं बना लें. @CMOfficeUP

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) May 3, 2018

Responding to these barbs, the Chief Minister of UP said on Friday, “Siddaramaiah is perfect in telling lies. I am personally monitoring relief work in the areas affected due to heavy rain and dust storms in UP.  I will visit those areas tomorrow.”

BJP will win the Karnataka elections and Congress will lose because of its divisive politics and corrupt policies: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath #KarnatakaElection2018 pic.twitter.com/4qNixYO27q

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2018

Adityanath had spoken in Sirsi, Uttara Kannada, on Thursday where he alleged that the ruling Congress had turned the state into a  “breeding ground of jihadis”.

Adityanath was set to address 11 rallies in a span of three days in the state.