BJP Slams Karnataka CM, Deputy CM for Prioritizing Rahul Gandhi Over German Chancellor

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Karnataka's chief minister, Siddaramaiah, and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, faced criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after they chose to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Mysuru instead of welcoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the state on Tuesday. The BJP accused the Congress leaders of putting 'political loyalty' above Karnataka's global standing, citing that Merz's visit was a significant opportunity for investment, industry, employment, and long-term growth for the state. Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, R Ashoka, said that any responsible chief minister would have ensured that Merz's visit was taken seriously and prioritized the state's interests over party politics. Ashoka emphasized that Karnataka deserves leadership that prioritizes the state before the party, its progress before power politics, and global opportunities before appeasement. The BJP's Karnataka unit also condemned Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar's actions, saying that they prioritized meeting Rahul Gandhi over welcoming the German chancellor, highlighting a 'deep disregard for the state's interests.' BJP's Karnataka president, BY Vijayendra, accused Siddaramaiah of opting to meet Rahul Gandhi instead of welcoming Merz to safeguard his own chair, a move that reflects 'misplaced priorities.' During his visit to Bengaluru, Merz visited the Bosch campus and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at the Indian Institute of Science before departing from the city. Karnataka is already losing out on major investment opportunities and global partnerships to neighboring states due to the leaders' 'obsession with political survival over governance.' As the state continues to face these challenges, it remains to be seen how the Congress government will address the concerns raised by the BJP.