Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took to Twitter on Sunday, 4 February, to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his state. The PM, who is visiting Bengaluru today, will be addressing a rally at 2 pm at the Palace Ground.

In his tweets Siddaramaiah praised his state, hinting at the work done by the Congress government.

“I welcome PM @narendramodi to Namma Karnataka – the no. 1 state in investments, innovation & progressive policies.

“Through a unique model of development, we have scripted several national firsts across key sectors. I am confident that Karnataka’s success makes India proud,” Siddaramaiah wrote.

In his next tweet the Karnataka CM hailed Bengaluru as India’s “start up and innovation hub”.

“I am glad you are making time to visit the country’s start up & innovation hub, Namma Bengaluru today,” he wrote.

Siddaramaiah also urged the Prime Minister to intervene in the ongoing Mahadayi water-sharing dispute between Karnataka and Goa.

“On behalf of my people, I urge you to find the time for Karnataka’s drinking water needs & help us resolve the #Mahadayi dispute,” he wrote.

The Karnataka CM had on 28 January said that he is ready for talks with the Goa government for an amicable solution to the dispute.

Earlier, pro-Kannada groups had called for a bandh in Bengaluru on 4 February in an attempt to force Modi to address the dispute, which has turned into a major issue as the state heads to polls in a few months.

The bandh was called off on Staurday evening after the Karnataka High Court dubbed the shutdown as “unconstitutional”.

Read More: PM Narendra Modi to address BJP rally in Bengaluru today

A bandh was observed across Karnataka on 25 February. The bandhs were called to demand the implementation of the Kalasa-Banduri dam project.

The project, which has been hanging since 2002, is expected to provide water to the parched North Karnataka by diverting a portion of the water. Karnataka seeks the release of 7.56 tmcft water to improve drinking water supply to the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad and districts of Belagavi and Gadag.

There has been no headway ever since Goa objected to sharing of water claiming that such a move will cause ecological damage to the state.

Modi will be addressing a massive BJP rally marking the conclusion of the party’s 90-day Nava Nirman Parivarthan Yatra across poll-bound Karnataka.

He is expected to highlight the achievements and initiatives of his government at the Centre and those in BJP-ruled states.