'Snake is the necklace of Lord Shiva': PM Modi hits out at Congress

Days after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called him a 'poisonous snake', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday slammed the grand old party saying that "snake is the necklace of Lord Shiva."

Photo Credit: Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections, in Channapatana in Ramanagara district.

"Today when I am fighting against corruption, Congress is disturbed the most. Congress is now threatening. They say 'Modi teri kabra khudegi'. Congress' topic in Karnataka elections is snake's poison. They are comparing me with a snake and seeking votes from people. For me, the people of the country are a form of Lord Shiva. I accept being the snake on the neck of the god-like public. The people of Karnataka will give them a befitting answer on May 10," the PM said at a rally in Kolar in Karnataka.

Addressing an election campaign recently, Kharge had targeted the Prime Minister and said, "PM Modi is like a 'poisonous snake', you might think it's poison or not. If you lick it, you're dead."

However, Kharge later clarified he did not target personally and called the ideology of the BJP as dangerous as a snake.

"No no, I didn't mean it to Modi, what I meant was BJP ideology is like a snake. I never said personally to Modi, what I said was their ideology is like a snake and if you try to touch it, your death will certain," he clarified.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Congress saying that the party is the "second name of betrayal."

"They have betrayed the farmers of the state and the country. JDS calls itself the 'kingmaker' in Karnataka and every vote to JDS adds to the vote of Congress. Congress neglected the poor. But BJP is working for the people, farmers and poor of the state. The farmers are getting double benefits from the double-engine government," he said.

The PM further said that for Congress and JDS, Karnataka is just an ATM, while for BJP, Karnataka is the most important growth engine of the country's development.

"This election of Karnataka is not just to make MLA, Minister or Chief Minister for the coming 5 years, this election is to strengthen the foundation of the roadmap of a developed India in the coming 25 years," he added.

With inputs from agencies.