'Modi wave cosmetic creation of BJP'

Bangalore, April 2 (IANS) Veteran Congress leader S.M. Krishna Wednesday dubbed the "(Narendra) Modi wave" in Karnataka a cosmetic creation of a desperate BJP.

"There is no sign of Modi or BJP wave anywhere in the country, state and city unlike in the past when there were two natural waves in favour of our leaders Indira Gandhi in 1971 and Rajiv Gandhi in 1984.

"Whereas the 'Modi wave' is a creation of vested interests as it is not seen or felt on the ground," the former chief minister of Karnataka told reporters here.

The 81-year-old Rajya Sabha lawmaker, who was India's external affairs minister in the UPA-II from 2009 to 2012, also questioned the verdict of opinion polls, which projected NDA emerging as the single largest alliance and a severe drubbing for the ruling UPA.

"Don't get carried away by opinion polls as they could badly go wrong as in the past. People are wise to decide whom to vote. They are watching silently and will cast their valuable votes for the Congress April 17," Krishna said at his residence.

He expressed confidence the ruling Congress would win at least 20 of the 28 seats in the state.

Krishna said as people were benefiting from the welfare schemes of the central and the state governments, they would repose faith in the Congress in this election as they did in the 2013 assembly polls.

"You will know our inherent strength and faith in the electorate May 16 when votes will be counted not only in our state, but across the country," Krishna asserted.

In the 2009 general elections, Congress won only six parliamentary seats, while the BJP bagged 19 and Janata Dal-Secular three.

Referring to the charge that the UPA government was dented with scams and graft charges, Krishna said they were being investigated and the guilty would not be spared.

Defending the party for giving tickets to tainted leaders like former railway minister P.K. Bansal and ex-chief minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan, Krishna said they were allowed to contest as per law since they were only accused and not convicted.

Krishna who was also governor of Maharashtra (2004-08), regretted the Aam Aadmi Party had forfeited its legitimate right to govern Delhi with the Congress support.

"Had AAP continued instead of quitting office hastily after 49 days, it would have earned more respect and support of the people. Though it brought some fresh air into the political theatre, it squandered the opportunity due to the inexperience of its leaders," he noted.