The Karnataka Assembly witnessed a dramatic turn of events on Thursday, August 21, 2025, when Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar sang the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) anthem, triggering a mix of reactions from fellow legislators and online observers. The incident occurred during a session of the Assembly and has sparked considerable debate and speculation regarding its political implications.

Shivakumar's act of singing the RSS anthem, "Namaste Sada Vatsale Matrubhoome," prompted cheers from BJP MLAs present in the assembly. Videos of the incident quickly went viral on social media, leading to widespread discussion and diverse interpretations of his motives. Some observers speculated that this move could be a calculated message directed towards the Congress high command, especially given ongoing internal discussions about a potential change in the Chief Minister's position. Others pointed to Shivakumar's past association with RSS shakhas during his school days in Bengaluru.

The BJP was quick to seize upon the opportunity to criticize the Congress, particularly in light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent praise of the RSS in his Independence Day speech. The BJP has been a long-standing critic of the Congress party, often highlighting the ideological differences between the two.

Adding to the political tensions in Karnataka, the BJP has strongly criticized the state government's decision to allocate ₹10 crore for the rehabilitation of landslide victims in Wayanad, Kerala. Wayanad is represented by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the Lok Sabha. The BJP has labeled this allocation as a misuse of Kannadigas' tax money, especially at a time when the state's own farmers are facing financial difficulties. BJP State President BY Vijayendra questioned Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's commitment to keeping Karnataka's resources within the state, referencing the Congress's campaign for "My Tax, My Right". He argued that the funds were being diverted to Wayanad simply because it is Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's constituency.

Siddaramaiah defended the decision, asserting it was a humanitarian gesture and a responsibility within a federal system. He drew a parallel to the Prime Minister's aid to other countries, suggesting that the state government should not be questioned for assisting a neighboring state. The Congress party has also countered the BJP's criticism by highlighting the challenges the state government has faced in funding its own MLAs.

The controversy over the Wayanad aid comes amid broader allegations of irregularities in voter registration in constituencies held by prominent opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi (Rae Bareli), Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (Wayanad), and others. The BJP has demanded the resignations of these leaders, accusing them of securing electoral victories through "vote chori".

These recent events underscore the intense political rivalry and ideological clashes prevalent in Karnataka's political landscape. The singing of the RSS anthem by DK Shivakumar, coupled with the BJP's criticism of the Wayanad aid and allegations of voter irregularities, highlight the complex dynamics and ongoing power struggles between the Congress and BJP in the state.