New Delhi: Ahead of his visit to poll-bound Karnataka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the state is the soul of India and the country cannot be defined without it. He said development of Karnataka is the first priority of BJP as previous dispensations in the state had diverted its money.
“There was a time when people after forming government in Karnataka would take its money outside. Today, the country's money and resources are honestly directed towards Karnataka's development,” he said after inaugurating the “Barisu Kannada Dim Dimava” cultural festival here in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and other leaders including Union minister Pralhad Joshi.
“The identity, traditions and inspirations of India cannot be defined without the contributions of Karnataka,” the PM said.
Asserting that India is guided by the ideals of the “Mother of Democracy” when it is presiding over a global organisation like G-20, the PM said the vows and democratic sermons of Lord Basveshwara through ‘Anubhava Mantapa’ are like a ray of light for India.
He expressed delight at getting the opportunity to inaugurate the idol of Lord Basveshwara along with a compilation of his vows in several languages in London. Basava, also called Basaveshwara and Basavanna, was a 12th-century Lingayat social reformer and is considered as the most revered icon in the state.