Oppn leader Ashoka criticises Congress govt for ‘prioritising’ Rahul Gandhi over German Chancellor Merz’s visit

BENGALURU: Opposition leader in the Assembly, R Ashoka, on Tuesday criticised the state government’s top leadership for “prioritising” party leader Rahul Gandhi’s transit at Mysuru airport over German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit.

Questioning Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar for missing Merz’s visit, the BJP leader alleged that they prioritised “high command pleasing” over the state’s global standing. Ashoka further termed their actions as a “missed opportunity” for investment, industry, employment and long-term growth for Karnataka.

Highlighting the significance of the German Chancellor’s visit, he said, “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”.

Misplaced priorities
Missed opportunities

Today, the German Federal Chancellor visited Karnataka – a moment of immense diplomatic, economic and strategic significance for our state.

Any other responsible Chief Minsiter would have personally ensured that such a visit was… https://t.co/pDjq5Oj6q2 pic.twitter.com/t8k981Q60K

— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) January 13, 2026

“While the German Chancellor landed in Bengaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar chose to be in Mysuru to receive Rahul Gandhi, who was merely transiting to Ooty”, he added in a post on X.

Ashoka said that welcoming the head of a country was “relegated to the back seat” for “political loyalty”, accusing the top Karnataka leadership of “disregarding” the state’s interests.

“Welcoming the head of state from one of the world’s strongest economies was relegated to the back seat. Political loyalty and “high command pleasing” took priority over Karnataka’s global standing”, he said.

“This is not just bad optics — it reflects a deep disregard for the state’s interests. Karnataka deserves leadership that puts the state before the party, the state’s progress before power politics, and global opportunities before political appeasement”, he added.

#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives at Kempegowda International Airport. pic.twitter.com/g0hPiz9Fg4

— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026

German Chancellor Merz had visited the Indian headquarters of German tech major Bosch and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science.

On the other hand, DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah met Congress MP Rahul Gandhi at Mysuru airport. Shivakumar was also seen talking to Rahul Gandhi alone amid the power tussle for the CM post.

Earlier, Congress had raised strong objections when Rahul Gandhi was not invited to a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit. (ANI)