Bommai: Modi's cultural democracy boosting India's global influence
Synopsis
Campaigning in Hubballi for BJP's West Graduates' Constituency candidate, former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai credited PM Modi's 'cultural democracy' for India's growing global clout — while accusing the state's Congress government of emptying the treasury and stalling development. He expressed confidence the BJP would reclaim Karnataka in 2028.
Key Takeaways
Former Karnataka CM and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai campaigned in Hubballi on 15 October 2026 for BJP candidate S.V.
Sankanur of the West Graduates' Constituency .
Bommai credited PM Narendra Modi 's 'Nation First' principle and cultural democracy for India's rising global influence.
He alleged that forces 'unable to tolerate India's growth' were using social media and technology to foment internal opposition and target Modi.
Bommai accused Karnataka's Congress government of increasing state debt, an 'empty treasury', and ongoing corruption scandals.
He praised candidate S.V.
Sankanur for facilitating employment for around 2,300 people annually through job fairs over two terms.
Bommai expressed confidence that the BJP would return to power in Karnataka in 2028 with Modi's backing.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday, 15 October 2026, said India's standing on the world stage was growing steadily, attributing the rise to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationalism, the principle of 'Nation First', and what he described as governance rooted in cultural democracy.
Campaign Rally in Hubballi
Bommai made these remarks while campaigning for BJP candidate S.V. Sankanur, who is contesting from the West Graduates' Constituency, at Navaneekethan Co-operative Housing Society in Ashok Nagar, Hubballi. Senior party figures including MLA Mahesh Tenginkai, MLC C.T. Ravi, former MLC Mahantesh Kavatagimath, and several other party leaders were present at the event.
Modi's Leadership and India's Global Role
Describing Modi as a 'true nationalist', Bommai said the Prime Minister was working with deep commitment and a long-term vision of building a strong, prosperous India. He asserted that Modi's leadership had positioned India as a country capable of offering solutions to challenges both at home and internationally.
Bommai alleged that certain forces, unable to tolerate India's rising global profile, were actively trying to create 'opposition and anarchy' within the country. He also cautioned that, in the present technology-driven era, attempts were being made to manipulate knowledge and distort technological capabilities as tools of global control. 'In earlier times, people could rule the world without owning land, but today some are attempting to control the world by gaining control over knowledge,' he said.
Cultural Traditions as India's Strength
Referring to recent developments in France and Spain, Bommai argued that societies focused primarily on technology and commerce could recover from disorder more easily, but that India's case was different owing to its deeply rooted cultural traditions. 'We are a people who lead our lives based on our own culture. We must continue to live in accordance with our cultural values,' he said.
He also flagged the role of social media platforms in shaping public opinion, alleging that several such campaigns were specifically directed against Prime Minister Modi and aimed at influencing electoral outcomes.
Attack on Karnataka's Congress Government
Turning his attention to the state, Bommai launched a sharp critique of the incumbent Congress government in Karnataka, alleging that development had slowed considerably under its watch. 'The state's debt has increased, the treasury is empty, and corruption scandals are continuing to emerge,' he alleged. He also accused the government of neglecting the concerns of teachers and failing to provide adequate facilities to private-sector employees and government staff.
Bommai alleged that government employees were facing considerable pressure from the state administration and urged them to 'take the right decisions in accordance with their conscience.' He expressed confidence that the BJP would return to power in Karnataka in 2028 with Modi's support, adding that BJP-backed candidates winning all four upcoming constituency seats would send a strong signal to the ruling government.
Praise for Candidate S.V. Sankanur
Bommai praised BJP candidate S.V. Sankanur for his performance across two previous terms, noting that Sankanur had organised job fairs and was reportedly instrumental in facilitating employment for around 2,300 people annually. He urged voters to back Sankanur in the upcoming election.
Point of View
Bommai is positioning cultural identity as the BJP's electoral armour against the Congress's governance critique. The allegation that social media campaigns are being orchestrated against Modi ahead of graduate constituency polls signals that the BJP is already treating even low-profile elections as proxy battles for the bigger 2028 prize. Whether voters in a graduates' constituency, who tend to be more discerning, buy the cultural-democracy pitch over bread-and-butter concerns remains the real test.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Basavaraj Bommai say about PM Modi and India's global influence?
Bommai said India's global standing was growing due to PM Modi's nationalism, the 'Nation First' principle, and governance based on cultural democracy. He described Modi as a 'true nationalist' working toward a strong and prosperous India.
Where was Bommai campaigning and for which candidate?
Bommai was campaigning at Navaneekethan Co-operative Housing Society in Ashok Nagar, Hubballi, for BJP candidate S.V. Sankanur, who is contesting from the West Graduates' Constituency.
What allegations did Bommai make against the Karnataka Congress government?
Bommai alleged that development had slowed under the Congress government, the state's debt had increased, the treasury was empty, and corruption scandals were continuing to emerge. He also accused the government of neglecting teachers and government staff.
What did Bommai say about social media and technology?
Bommai alleged that social media platforms were being used to shape public opinion against PM Modi and to influence elections. He also warned that some forces were attempting to control global influence by manipulating knowledge and distorting technological capabilities.
When does Bommai expect the BJP to return to power in Karnataka?
Bommai expressed confidence that the BJP would return to power in Karnataka in 2028 with the support of PM Narendra Modi. He also said BJP-backed candidates winning all four upcoming election seats would send a strong message to the current government.
