Bengaluru, Feb 2 (PTI) Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, on Monday alleged that the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government is “immersed in corruption”, adding that the administration in the state has reached a “coma stage”.
He also accused the dispensation of “spreading lies” through the governor’s address.
He further alleged that the “power tussle” between CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar over the chief minister’s post has “gravely impacted” the administration in the state.
The BJP leader made these remarks while participating in the motion of thanks to the governor’s address in the Assembly.
“The Congress government led by Siddaramaiah has sacrificed the interests and prestige of the state in many matters for the sake of political prestige, the quarrel between the CM and the deputy CM, and the appeasement of the high command,” Ashoka said.
He claimed that one scandal after another has come to light, development has come to a standstill, and therefore, to “divert public attention, the government is indulging in petty politics” by confronting the governor and the Centre.
“The government has tried to make the governor speak lies in his address by hiding the facts. I thank the governor for the address, but I oppose the address prepared by the government. This government is immersed in corruption. It lacks respect, and if it had any respect left, it would have taken action,” Ashoka claimed.
“There is bribery everywhere. The governor’s address is full of lies. This government has no morality,” he alleged.
Claiming that Siddaramaiah has lost the assertiveness and grip over the administration that he once had, the opposition leader said, “From a tiger-like attitude in the past, it has now become rat-like.” Ashoka further alleged that officials have stopped working properly amid confusion over the leadership issue. “As a result, the administration has been in a coma for the past year. It is not right to toy with leadership in this manner. It is advisable to conclude; otherwise, the deteriorating administration will not get back on track,” he claimed.
He said the relationship between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar has “soured”. He also took a dig at Shivakumar’s temple visits, suggesting they were aimed at securing the CM’s post at the earliest.
“This is an internal matter of your party. But since it is adversely affecting the administration, please clarify who will be the CM in the interest of the people,” he added.
“Jointly announce that there will be no more such disputes and make the administration more efficient. You have made the governor deliver a false speech about this dysfunctional administration,” he alleged.
In a high drama in the Karnataka Assembly, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on January 22 refused to read the state-prepared address to a joint session of the state legislature and concluded his customary speech in just three lines, evoking a sharp reaction from the Congress government. However, the speech was deemed to have been read and was placed before the House.
The governor had refused to deliver the customary address to the Karnataka legislature, objecting to certain critical references to the Centre and its decision to “repeal” the UPA-era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Ashoka also slammed the administration for referring to the Centre’s new rural employment legislation, the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, as the “VB-GRAM G” Act in the governor’s address, alleging that the ruling party has an “allergy” to the name Ram.
“The Congress government has an allergy to the name Ram. But for Indians, Ram is not just a name; it is an ideal,” he said.
“There are many examples of the aversion Congress leaders have towards Ram. This same Siddaramaiah government renamed the Ramanagara district as Bengaluru South district. Neither the public nor any organisation asked for the name to be changed. Now, the governor’s speech is another example of their attitude towards Ram,” he claimed.
Alleging that the speech delivered by the governor on behalf of the government was “full of political malice and falsehoods”, the opposition leader said that since coming to power, the administration has been making false allegations against the Centre, engaging in confrontation, and attempting to “incite” people against it.
“It is unfortunate that instead of discussing the achievements of the state government, people’s problems, schemes implemented by the government, and policy statements, the Assembly session is being used for political purposes. This is very regrettable,” he said.
“A total of eight Assembly sessions have been held from May 2023 to the end of December 2025, during which 18 resolutions have been passed against the Centre,” he added.
Ashoka also criticised the government, citing the State Contractors’ Association’s allegation that corruption “in the form of commissions has doubled” under the current administration.
The association on January 29 warned the Karnataka government that it would launch a statewide stir against the non-payment of pending bills worth Rs 37,370 crore.
Karnataka State Contractors Association (KSCA) president R Manjunath alleged that the situation is dire in the state as many of them, especially the small contractors, are on the verge of ending their lives due to piling debts.
Ashoka further alleged that the activities of middlemen are rampant in the Urban Development Department. PTI KSU SSK
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