Narendra Modi Labels Congress Parasite Party in Bengaluru Rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Indian National Congress during a May 10 public meeting in Bengaluru, labeling the opposition a "parasite party" that survives by exploiting regional allies. Speaking at the 45th anniversary of the Art of Living Foundation, Modi alleged the party betrayed the DMK in Tamil Nadu after 30 years to align with Joseph Vijay's party. He further criticized the Congress for governance failures in Himachal Pradesh and Telangana, and alleged that internal disputes between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar have sidelined public grievances.

Congress leaders responded swiftly to the accusations. Ramesh Chennithala accused Modi of "memory loss" regarding the timing of leadership appointments, citing a 50-day delay in the BJP's selection of the Delhi Chief Minister. He defended the Congress's current consultations to name a Kerala Chief Minister as a democratic process compared to the BJP's "authoritarian" structure.

On May 11, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah countered that the BJP has a consistent history of betraying its own regional partners and blackmailing opposition leaders. Siddaramaiah also claimed the BJP in Karnataka is fractured by factions opposing former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and argued that current economic hardships result from the Prime Minister's "confused foreign policy."