Bengaluru: Ahead of the assembly elections in Karnataka, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tore into the Gandhi family saying that the state cannot be made a sacrificial lamb to guard one family.

Pointing out at the state government’s failure in addressing civic issues, Mrs Sitharaman said, “The state government cannot hide behind the argument that it did not benefit from the Centre because the BJP does not believe in discriminating states on the basis of the political parties in power.” The state could have benefitted from the Centre but it chose to hide behind the argument that is not true. Stating her opinion that Karnataka needed a change, the Defence Minister added, “The frothing lakes, traffic congestion and the spike in crime, and many other issues over which we have a thought need attention. We cannot afford to lose five years by going into hibernation and waking up again before the election.”




The interaction organised by Citizens Council focused on disseminating increased voter awareness. Reiterating the infamous slogan by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the defence minister said that ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ is an underlining principle of the country and not a mere slogan.

On being asked about the progress the government is making on the induction of women in combat roles in the armed forces, Mrs Sitharaman explained that she was open to the idea of women being inducted in all segments of the armed forces, but since the matter is in court, the government is waiting for the final verdict. Though she refrained from naming the tainted leaders of the Congress being given tickets, the minister said that criminals have been accommodated with brazenness.