Bengaluru ;Narendra Modi arrived in Bengaluru on Sunday and addressed a massive gathering of BJP workers and supporters at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Airport (HAL Airport), shortly after the party’s reported historic performance in the West Bengal elections. The Prime Minister’s speech blended celebration of electoral gains with sharp political criticism of the Congress and a strong pitch for Karnataka’s role in India’s development journey.
Thousands of BJP supporters gathered outside the airport premises, chanting slogans and waving party flags as the Prime Minister arrived. The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm following the party’s electoral success in eastern India, which Modi repeatedly referenced as a turning point in the political landscape.
Bengal victory and national message
Referring to the electoral outcome in West Bengal, Modi said the people of the state had “written history” by choosing development over decades of instability. He claimed the mandate was not just a victory for the BJP but a victory for democracy and governance.
#WATCH | Karnataka | Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitated by BJP State President, B Y Vijayendra and other state leaders in Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/9EFTMAwPE1
— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2026
“From the Ganga plains to the Arabian Sea, the lotus is blooming,” he said, using the party’s symbol to underline its expanding footprint across the country. He also highlighted gains in Assam and described them as a reflection of “New India’s growing confidence”.
The Prime Minister added that the BJP’s earlier presence in West Bengal was minimal, but the party had steadily expanded its base. He said the latest results marked a decisive shift in public sentiment.
Attack on Congress and Karnataka politics
A significant portion of Modi’s address was directed at the Congress party. He alleged that wherever the Congress comes to power, governance issues and internal conflicts follow.
He specifically referenced Karnataka, stating, “It is not even certain how long the Chief Minister will remain in office,” in an apparent dig at internal power struggles within the ruling party. He extended similar criticism to other states, including Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala, alleging administrative instability and policy failures.
“In states ruled by Congress, treasury loot and internal fighting are common. Leaders are busy with power struggles while people suffer,” Modi said.
Backstabbing comes naturally to the Congress. See what happened in Tamil Nadu… pic.twitter.com/s7TKNDFzND
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 10, 2026
He also pointed to Rajasthan as an example of alleged misgovernance and claimed Karnataka was heading in a similar direction.
He accusing Congress party of betraying even its own leaders and allies for power, and alleging that Congress-ruled states were facing administrative collapse, corruption, and internal conflicts.
Modi said Congress leaders were still unable to arrive at any conclusion over leadership issues, while the party continued “making promises to its own leaders and then stabbing them in the back”. He cited Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan as examples, and alleged that the “same game” was continuing in Karnataka, adding that “now Kerala’s turn has come”.
Targeting the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, Modi claimed the situation there was so severe that the government was “not even able to pay salaries to government employees”. Referring to Telangana, he alleged that farmers were being “forced to commit suicide”.
“Wherever Congress is there, either the treasury is being looted for the royal court, or fights are happening for the looted money,” Modi said.
The PM further alleged that Congress had now become a “parasitic party” which betrayed even its allies at the first opportunity. “That is why it is said there is no relative whom Congress has not cheated,” he remarked.
Attacking the Congress-DMK relationship in Tamil Nadu, Modi said Congress had maintained a close alliance with DMK for years and had repeatedly survived political crises because of DMK’s support. He alleged that despite the long-standing relationship, Congress “stabbed DMK in the back at the first opportunity” when political equations changed elsewhere.
“The power-hungry Congress, in greed for power, betrayed DMK despite years of political partnership,” Modi said, adding that Congress was now searching for “another party on whose back it can ride and remain relevant”.
Modi also accused Congress of “betraying the women of the country” over women’s reservation. He alleged that for decades Congress had promised reservation for women while simultaneously getting its own allies to oppose it.
Calling Congress the “biggest anti-women party in the country”, Modi said BJP had ended this “political game” by bringing a law for women’s reservation. He further alleged that Congress defeated the “Nari Shakti Bandhan Amendment” in Parliament.
According to Modi, if the amendment had been passed, Karnataka’s Lok Sabha representation would have increased significantly, enabling a larger number of women from the state to become MLAs and MPs and participate in shaping the nation’s future.
Bengaluru as India’s growth engine
Despite the political criticism, Modi reserved strong praise for Bengaluru, calling it the “engine of India’s future growth.” He said India’s global reputation in digital technology and innovation was largely due to the contribution of Karnataka’s youth.
ಬಿಜೆಪಿಗೆ ಜನಕಲ್ಯಾಣವೇ ಸರ್ವೋಚ್ಚ ಮತ್ತು 'ಸಬ್ಕಾ ಸಾತ್, ಸಬ್ಕಾ ವಿಕಾಸ್' ಎಂಬುದು ನಮ್ಮ ಮಂತ್ರವಾಗಿದೆ. pic.twitter.com/s2dCZGUBPh
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 10, 2026
“Today the world speaks about Digital India, and Bengaluru is at its core,” he said. He acknowledged the role of the state’s IT sector, research ecosystem, and entrepreneurial talent in strengthening India’s self-reliance.
He also highlighted Karnataka’s contribution during the post-COVID economic recovery, particularly in agriculture and industry.
Science, spirituality and national strength
Linking development with cultural values, Modi said India’s progress required both scientific advancement and spiritual grounding. He stated that material growth alone was insufficient for national strength.
“Science and spirituality are like two eyes of India,” he said, adding that spiritual leaders like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar were contributing to global peace and well-being.
He mentioned his visit to an upcoming meditation centre and called it a moment of personal honour.
Women’s reservation and political critique
The Prime Minister also attacked the Congress over its stand on the Women’s Reservation Bill. He accused the party of blocking legislation that would have ensured greater representation for women in legislatures and Parliament.
“If this bill had been passed earlier, women from all sections would already be serving in assemblies and Parliament,” he said, urging women in Karnataka to “remember this betrayal.”
Honours and political presence
Before the address, Karnataka BJP leaders felicitated the Prime Minister with a 13-kilogram silver statue in recognition of the party’s recent electoral performance in West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry.
Senior leaders including Pralhad Joshi, V. Somanna, Shobha Karandlaje, state BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra, opposition leader R. Ashoka, and several MLAs were present during the ceremony. Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa led the felicitation event, marking a symbolic display of unity within the state BJP leadership.
