The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka has launched a scathing attack on the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, accusing it of prioritizing Rahul Gandhi's visit over welcoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Bengaluru. The BJP has termed this act a "betrayal to Karnataka".
The controversy arose when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar were in Mysuru to receive Rahul Gandhi, who was en route to Tamil Nadu, while Chancellor Merz was arriving in Bengaluru for an official visit to India.
R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, has been particularly vocal in his criticism. He stated that the Congress government displayed "misplaced priorities and missed opportunities" by neglecting the German Chancellor's visit. Ashoka argued that welcoming the head of government from one of the world's strongest economies should have been a priority, as it could have fostered investment, job creation, and industrial development in Karnataka. He further added that prioritizing "political loyalty and high command pleasing" over Karnataka's global standing was a disservice to the state.
Ashoka emphasized the diplomatic, economic, and strategic significance of the German Chancellor's visit, highlighting the potential for foreign investment and industrial growth. He accused the Congress government of disregarding the state's interests and missing a golden opportunity to boost Karnataka's economy. "This isn't merely a lapse in protocol; it's a betrayal of Karnataka's interests," he wrote.
Chancellor Merz's itinerary in Bengaluru included a visit to the Bosch campus and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at the Indian Institute of Science.
In response to the allegations, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed speculations of leadership change within the state government. He clarified that his meeting with Rahul Gandhi was brief and did not involve any political discussions. Siddaramaiah also refuted rumors of confusion over a potential cabinet reshuffle, asserting that such discussions were limited to media speculation.
