Mysuru: Karnataka’s Leader of the Opposition, R Ashoka, on Monday launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing him of enabling the rise of the drug mafia in his home district of Mysuru.
Speaking to reporters, Ashoka alleged that the drug menace in Mysuru has flourished under Siddaramaiah’s watch. “A drug factory is reportedly operating right here in Mysuru. Where is the Home Department? Why has the government not acted?” he questioned. Ashoka further demanded to know who owns the factory, who sanctioned the land, and how a business worth hundreds of crores could grow unchecked. “This is Siddaramaiah’s real contribution,” he stated.
Turning his attention to internal Congress dynamics, Ashoka took a swipe at veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, claiming he was overlooked for the chief minister’s post despite his loyalty to the party. “Siddaramaiah, who joined from the JD(S), was made CM. But Kharge wasn’t, even though he now demands his due,” he said, suggesting that a leadership change is imminent. “By October, there will be a new CM,” Ashoka claimed, hinting at an internal power struggle within the Congress party.
He also criticized the Congress for sidelining Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, suggesting that his political fate now depends on divine intervention. “DK Shivakumar is just waiting for some god to bless him,” he said sarcastically.
Ashoka further took a jab at Siddaramaiah’s development record, saying, “He hasn’t built even a single lake in Mysuru, yet they compare him to a Maharaja.” He accused the CM of ignoring discussions on development with MLAs and claimed that even the legacy of former CM SM Krishna is being invoked selectively after his death. “Krishna’s contributions to the IT and BT sectors brought real progress. What has Siddaramaiah done?” he asked.
On the recent deaths in Dharmasthala, Ashoka said an investigation is ongoing but warned against premature conclusions. “Some progressive groups want the SIT report to suit their narrative. Let the guilty be punished, but let’s not malign the Dharmasthala shrine without evidence,” he cautioned.
Ashoka’s comments signal rising political heat in Karnataka as speculation over a potential leadership change continues to swirl within the ruling Congress party.
