Any other responsible CM...: BJP slams Karnataka govt for choosing Rahul Gandhi over German Chancellors visit
Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka alleged that the senior Congress leaders prioritised Rahul Gandhi's transit at Mysuru airport over the German Chancellor's visit.
New Delhi: The BJP hit out at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar for allegedly choosing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who arrived in Bengaluru on Tuesday for his visit to India.
Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka alleged that the senior Congress leaders prioritised Gandhi's transit at Mysuru airport over the German Chancellor's visit. Ashoka asked Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar why they skipped Merz's visit and accused them of prioritising "high command pleasing" over the state's global standing.
Merz arrived at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Tuesday and was received by Karnataka Minister for Large And Medium Industries, MB Patil, and senior officials.
BJP slams CM, deputy CM
Launching a sharp attack at the Ashoka pointed out that welcoming the head of state from one of the world’s strongest economies was "relegated to the back seat" and political loyalty and "high command pleasing” took priority over Karnataka’s global standing. He wrote on X, "Today, the German Federal Chancellor visited Karnataka - a moment of immense diplomatic, economic and strategic significance for our state. Any other responsible Chief Minister would have personally ensured that such a visit was accorded the seriousness it deserved - as an opportunity for investment, industry, employment and long-term growth for Karnataka."
"But look at the situation today... While the German Chancellor landed in Bengaluru, Chief Minister @siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister @DKShivakumar chose to be in Mysuru to receive @RahulGandhi, who was merely transiting to Ooty," he added.
Missed opportunity for investment
R Ashoka further termed their actions as a "missed opportunity" for investment, industry, employment and long-term growth for Karnataka. He also said that Karnataka deserves leadership that puts the state before the party, state's progress before power politics, and global opportunities before political appeasement.
During his visit to Bengaluru, the German Chancellor and his delegation visited the Bosch campus at Adugodi and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science. They left Bengaluru the same evening.