Siddaramaiah talks of Kannada pride ahead of Modi visit

Invoking Kannada pride ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's whirlwind election tour of Karnataka today, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked him to approve the state flag. " " "Complimenting Modi over his recent claim that he too is a Kannadiga, Siddaramaiah, in series of tweets late last night, also raised concerns over alleged imposition of Hindi. " " ""Congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has declared himself a Kannadiga. Becoming Kannadiga means" accepting Kannada language, naada geete (state anthem), naada" dwaja (state flag)."
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" Seeking to strike a chord with BJP leaders, office bearers and elected representatives during an interaction with them through his mobile app on April 26, Modi had claimed he"was also a Kannadiga. " " ""Like you, I am also a karyakarta (worker) from" Karnataka. Believe this and move ahead. I am also a Kannadiga. Believe this and move ahead. I will work with you shoulder to" shoulder," he had said. " " "Noting that becoming Kannadiga means being committed"to protecting Karnataka's land, water and language, the Chief Minister asked, "Will you call meeting of Chief Ministers of three states to resolve Mahadayi river water sharing dispute?" "

Maintaining that becoming Kannadiga entails protecting Kannada, Kannadiga and Karnataka's interest, he"asked, "Will you become Kannadiga by allowing Kannadigas to" write entrance exams of nationalized banks in Kannada?" " "
Siddramaiah wrote about Karnataka's tradition of brotherhood, and wondered how Modi could be a Kannadiga when the BJP has not fielded a single Muslim or Christian candidate. " "