Bengaluru: The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D.K.Shivakumar of prioritising power equations, rather than meeting with the German chancellor that would help with the overall welfare of Karnataka.
“When the German chancellor comes to Karnataka, one person (Siddaramaiah) has gone to save his (CMs) chair while the other (Shivakumar) has gone to stake his claim. Both of them went to Rahul Gandhi for this purpose….what should happen to the welfare of the state,” BJP state president B.Y.Vijayendra told reporters Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were seen welcoming Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, who was transiting in Mysuru on his way to Gudalur.
In their place, Karnataka’s industries minister M.B.Patil received German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the second day of his two-day official visit to India. This is the German Chancellor’s first trip to Asia after taking over the office in May last year.
Merz held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad Monday and inked 19 packs, including a roadmap for defence industrial collaboration and expanding cooperation in the higher education sector. He also visited the Sabarmati Ashram and inaugurated the Kite festival in Gujarat.
In Bengaluru, Merz visited the campus of German engineering behemoth Bosch and later visited the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
The BJP criticised Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for rushing to Mysuru instead of engaging with the German Chancellor.
Yaduveer Wadiyar, the MP from Mysuru-Kodagu, said that Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar “chose to be at Mysuru airport to receive Rahul Gandhi,” while Patil had to step in to receive the head of a foreign government which he said was “a clear departure from protocol and a squandered opportunity” to represent Karnataka in the world stage.
“This is what political insecurity looks like. Congress leaders are more focused on signalling loyalty to the high command than on governance, diplomacy, or attracting global partnerships,” he added.
Meanwhile, Shivakumar shared pictures of his interaction with Rahul Gandhi as the two spoke in private on the tarmac. He has been trying to get the Congress high command to replace Siddaramaiah even as the CM has shown no inclination to step down, leading to a tug-of-war between the two top leaders.
Siddaramaiah also took to X to post that there was no confusion about the leadership change.
“Rahul Gandhi is heading to Gudalur for a program, and I met him en route. On this occasion, I did not discuss any political matters with him. In the evening, when he leaves for Delhi, a farewell will be accorded…,” he posted.
He further added in the post that there is “no confusion” in the party regarding the power sharing agreement.
Later, Patil came out to assert that Merz’s visit was a private, pre-scheduled programme, limited to visits to Bosch and IISc, and that there was no official talks with the government.
“In such a situation, the question of the Chief Minister or Ministers formally receiving him does not arise – had there been any government-level engagements, the Hon’ble Chief Minister himself would have led the reception,” he posted on X.
“Nevertheless, as instructed by the Chief Minister, and in keeping with protocol and the dignity of Karnataka, a formal welcome and see-off were extended. BJP’s attempt to politicise even a private visit of an international dignitary is petty and irresponsible.”
This is an updated version of the report.
(Edited by Tony Rai)