Ashoka says confusion over CM post hurting state’s development

Bengaluru: Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka on Friday claimed that the ongoing confusion within the ruling Congress over “who the real Chief Minister is” has begun to adversely affect Karnataka’s development.

He was speaking after the BJP–JD(S) coordination committee meeting held at a private hotel in Bengaluru. Ashoka said the repeated postponement of the Congress leaders’ breakfast meetings was a clear sign of internal rifts. “Their breakfast meeting looks completely broken. This instability is hurting the state’s progress.

We will discuss this issue in the Assembly. BJP and JD(S) will work together like milk and honey and fight during the session,” he said. The coordination meeting was held ahead of the winter session scheduled to begin in Belagavi. Leaders of both parties discussed major issues to be raised in the Legislature, including pressing public concerns and failures of the Congress government.

Accusing the Siddaramaiah-led administration of corruption, Ashoka alleged that the government had turned into a “60% commission regime” and was functioning as an ATM for the Congress high command. “They have betrayed the people. Karnataka’s money is being sent to Delhi,” he charged.

Ashoka also criticised the government for limiting the winter session to just a few days. “Because of the death of a sitting MLA, one day will be lost. In total, this session will hardly run beyond eight days. The Congress is holding the session only to suit its convenience and push bills. Issues like Bengaluru development and the BBMP restructuring have been brought in only to benefit their agenda,” he said.

He questioned the logic of conducting a short session in Belagavi while focusing mainly on Bengaluru-related matters. “If you want to discuss only Bengaluru, then why hold the session in North Karnataka? In the past, when Kumaraswamy and Yediyurappa were Chief Ministers, the session was held to address the problems of North Karnataka.

Even if it required 20 days, discussions were held. That purpose is being ignored now,” he said. Ashoka also hit out at the government for neglecting irrigation, industries, and education in the region. “The Tungabhadra dam gate broke a year ago. They must allocate ₹12 crore, but they cannot even manage that. They have deceived the people of North Karnataka,” he added.

JD(S) leader and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who attended the meeting, said the opposition alliance has decided to prioritise issues faced by North Karnataka on the very first day. “Districts like Yadgir, Kalaburagi, Bidar, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Belagavi, and Raichur suffered floods months ago. The government has woken up only after three or four months,” he alleged.

He emphasised that the opposition will counter the perception that the session is merely an eyewash. BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra also participated through a phone call and shared his suggestions, which the committee resolved to incorporate during the upcoming session.

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