The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar after they chose to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi instead of welcoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the state on Tuesday. The BJP said the move showed that the Congress leadership placed political loyalty above Karnataka’s global image.
CM, Deputy CM Choose Mysuru Over Airport Reception
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar travelled to Mysuru to receive Rahul Gandhi, who was passing through the city on his way to Ooty in Tamil Nadu. At the same time, German Chancellor Merz arrived in Bengaluru.
Karnataka’s Minister for Large and Medium Industries, MB Patil, along with other senior officials, received the German leader at Kempegowda International Airport.
Opposition Calls It A Missed Opportunity
Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, strongly criticised the Congress government. He said the leadership showed “misplaced priorities and missed opportunities” by not personally welcoming the head of a major global economy.
In a post on X, Ashoka described Merz’s visit as a moment of “immense diplomatic, economic and strategic significance” for Karnataka. He added that any “responsible” chief minister would have ensured the visit received top importance as it offered opportunities for “investment, industry, employment and long-term growth”.
“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 transitioning to Ooty. Let that sink in,” Ashoka wrote.
BJP Says Political Loyalty Took Priority
Ashoka said the decision showed that “political loyalty and high command pleasing” came before Karnataka’s global standing.
“This is not just bad optics - it reflects a deep disregard for the state's interests,” he stated. He further added that Karnataka needs leadership that puts the state before party politics. “Karnataka deserves better,” Ashoka said.
BJP Karnataka Unit Joins The Criticism
The BJP’s Karnataka unit also condemned the move in a post on its official X handle. It said the chief minister and his deputy rushed to Mysuru simply because, “in the CM's own words - our proud leader Shri @RahulGandhi stopped in Mysuru while on his way to Tamil Nadu”.
The party claimed that the chief minister’s position was being used “to merely please the 'High Command' rather than to serve the people”.
Vijayendra Targets Siddaramaiah Amid Power Tussle
BJP’s Karnataka president BY Vijayendra accused Siddaramaiah of choosing to meet Rahul Gandhi instead of welcoming the German chancellor to “safeguard his own chair”. His remarks came amid ongoing speculation about a leadership change in the state, with reports suggesting DK Shivakumar may replace Siddaramaiah after half the term.
“This is not merely a protocol lapse, it reflects misplaced priorities!” Vijayendra said in a post on X. He also claimed that the Congress government had pushed development far behind, saying it “cannot even be seen in the rear-view mirror”.
BJP Warns Of Loss Of Investments
Vijayendra said Karnataka was losing major investment opportunities and global partnerships to neighbouring states. He blamed the situation on the leadership’s “obsession with political survival over governance”.
“When personal interests overrides State interests, Karnataka pays the price. Our State deserves leadership that puts the State first!” he added.
Merz Visits Key Tech Institutions In Bengaluru
During his visit to Bengaluru, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz toured the Bosch campus in Adugodi. He also visited the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science before leaving the city, PTI reported.