Adding to the intense speculation surrounding a potential leadership change in Karnataka, R. Ashok, the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, boldly declared on October 3 that the state would see a new Chief Minister by either November or December. This assertion further ignites discussions about a significant political upheaval.
Speaking from Belagavi after touring flood-affected areas, Mr. Ashok confidently claimed to possess “definite information” about a power-sharing arrangement between current Chief Minister Mr. Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar. According to Ashok, Mr. Shivakumar is keen to assume the Chief Minister’s role within months, a move reportedly being resisted by Mr. Siddaramaiah. This underlying tension, Ashok stated, is the primary reason for the deep internal conflict within the Karnataka Congress. He further alleged that supporters of Mr. Shivakumar, who have alluded to a leadership transition, are being sidelined, painting a clear picture of Mr. Siddaramaiah’s reluctance to cede power and Mr. Shivakumar’s persistent efforts to gain it.
Earlier this week in Mysuru, the Chief Minister publicly affirmed his commitment to serve his full term. On October 2, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) even issued notices to two Congress leaders who had made statements hinting at a leadership change, signaling the party’s stern stance on maintaining unity and discipline.
BJP’s Stance: Ready for Snap Polls, Not Government Formation
Mr. Ashok clarified that if the Congress government collapses due to these ongoing internal squabbles, the BJP has no intention of staking a claim to form an alternative government. “We will not form the government. We are prepared to go to the polls,” he declared. He strongly criticized the current state administration, claiming it has exhausted its funds, with even Congress MLAs reportedly lamenting a lack of development funds. He highlighted the government’s apparent negligence, pointing out its failure to address basic infrastructure issues like filling potholes on Bengaluru’s roads.
“The Chief Minister has yet to address the full extent of damage to homes in the flood-hit regions,” Mr. Ashok stated. “Mr. Siddaramaiah’s sole focus seems to be on reiterating his continuation as Chief Minister. Meanwhile, his own party members are openly questioning his tenure. If Mr. Siddaramaiah were truly responsible, he would have prioritized releasing compensation for the flood victims immediately.”
Opposition’s Response to Flood Devastation
Mr. Ashok announced that a BJP delegation would visit flood-stricken villages to personally engage with farmers and assess their crop losses, with planned visits to Belagavi and Vijayapura districts. He drew a sharp contrast between the current government’s response and that of the previous BJP administration, led by B.S. Yediyurappa. He emphasized that the BJP government had significantly increased compensation for house collapses, boosting it from ₹95,000 to ₹5 lakh, and had introduced a policy of disbursing ₹10,000 within 24 hours of rain damage, even for minor losses. “The Congress government, however, shows a complete disregard for the problems faced by people in northern Karnataka districts; they appear indifferent to human suffering,” Mr. Ashok asserted.
He also highlighted the extensive landslide damage in Hassan. “Instead of providing assistance to those affected, Mr. Siddaramaiah is busy deflecting blame onto the Union Government,” Ashok alleged. He underscored that the Union government can only release compensation once the State Government submits a comprehensive damage report, a step which, according to Ashok, the state has yet to complete, further delaying crucial relief efforts.