As Prime Minister Narendra Modi began the campaign for Karnataka assembly elections, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday dared him to debate on law and order issue.

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Responding to Modi's attack at an election rally earlier in the day on him contesting from two constituencies 'with fear of losing' for the May 12 polls, he also pointed out that the PM had contested from two seats during 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing a rally at Santhemarahalli in Chamarajanagara district, Modi had said, "Violence cannot be accepted in a democracy. It is shameful how BJP workers have been murdered in Karnataka. The Congress must answer on increasing crime in the state. We are talking about enhancing 'Ease of Doing Business' in the country, but Congress believes in 'Ease of Doing Murder'. This is the culture they have developed."

However, responding to Modi, the Chief Minister said, "Crime is not increasing in Karnataka abnormally. PM repeats the lie of increasing crime rate for political purposes. I challenge him for an open debate on a single platform on crime and law and order situation in Karnataka vis-a-viz BJP ruled states."

Hitting back at the Prime Minister for his "2+1 formula" jibe at him, Siddaramaiah said Modi's formula to win the assembly election in the state is "2 Reddys + 1 Yeddy".

"Today PM avoided talking about his complicity in"closing CBI cases against the Reddy bros. Instead he spoke"about some 2+1 formula. Here is the explanation to his formula to win election. 2 Reddys + 1 Yeddy. #2Reddy1Yeddy," he said in another tweet.

'Yeddy' is a reference to BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa.

Prime Minister Modi also lashed out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi while challenging him to speak for 15 minutes on the achievements of his party in Karnataka without reading from paper.

Polling for the 224-member Assembly will be held on May 12, and results will be"declared on the 15th of the month.