BSY, Siddaramaiah in bitter war of words over welcome tweet

Hours before the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bengaluru, the two national parties the Congress and the BJP on Sunday engaged in a war of words.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah used the opportunity of welcoming Modi to flaunt the achievement of his government. He claimed Karnataka was the number one state in investment and  innovation, and Bengaluru a start-up and  innovation hub. Siddaramaiah also boasted about having scripted  several national firsts across key sectors through a unique  model of development.

"I welcome PM @narendramodi to Namma Karnataka - the  no.1 state in investments, innovation & progressive policies.. Through a unique model of development, we have scripted   several national firsts across key sectors," Siddaramaiah said in a tweet.

"I am confident  that Karnataka's success makes India proud," he said. "@narendramodi, I am glad you are making time to visit the country's start-up & innovation hub, Namma Bengaluru today. On behalf of my people, I urge you to find the time for Karnataka's drinking water needs and help us resolve the   #Mahadayi dispute #NammaKarnatakaFirst," he said in another tweet.

BJP hits back

Responding to the chief minister's tweets, state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa said Karnataka had scripted several firsts  like corruption, farmer suicides and collapse of law and order  under Siddaramaiah's regime.

"Thanks for the welcome CM @siddaramaiah avare! Yes. Karnataka indeed has scripted several firsts - No.1 Corrupt State, 3,500+ farmer suicides, collapse of law & order, mysterious deaths of officers, transfers of honest officials,  crumbling infra of Bengaluru. #KarnatakaTrustsModi," he said in a tweet.

This is not all. The ruling party had put up huge hoardings at various places near Palace Grounds, advertising achievements of the government in the past four and half years. The move was aimed at countering the BJP's rally.