Bengaluru needs Congress: PM

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Bengaluru/Hubli: Slamming the BJP government for besmirching the image of Karnataka with its mis-governance, corruption, and slow pace of development, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said if voted to power, the Congress would transform the state into a model for the rest of the country.
Addressing rallies on the outskirts of Bengaluru and in Hubli in the run-up to next month’s elections to the Legislative Assembly, Dr Singh said unlike the success stories which emanated from Karnataka seven years ago, the pace of progress had slowed with neglect of both agriculture and industry, and acute shortage of drinking water and power during the five year rule of the BJP.
The law and order situation had deteriorated, and people were feeling insecure in a state where security was never a concern. “In the last five years, the BJP government changed three Chief Ministers and a number of ministers have had to quit because of charge of corruption. Many people in high places in the state government are facing inquiries into allegations of corruption against them,” Dr Singh said, adding “I am particularly pained by the fact that areas with high concentration of minorities have been completely neglected as far as developmental works are concerned.”
Lamenting the fact that industries were relocating to cities like Hyderabad and Pune as the government failed to focus on development of infrastructure, the Prime Minister said though the state government received about Rs 8000 crores for implementation of 15 schemes, the target for most of these schemes was not achieved. 
“I do not wish to list all such examples, but I do wish to make the point that if you vote the Congress to power in Karnataka, the full benefit of these schemes will accrue to the people of the state. Our government is also working on a plan for a Bengaluru-Chennai industrial corridor. This will bring new employment opportunities for the people of Karnataka. It will bring the sea closer to this city and connect it to world markets,” he added.