Bagalkot (Karnataka), April 4 – Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday, alleging that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar could replace him after April 20.
Addressing a press conference here, Ashoka said, "After April 20, it is uncertain what will happen to him. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar will seize the Chief Minister's post."
He also said that Siddaramaiah has never stated that an ST leader would be made Chief Minister and is unlikely to do so, given the uncertainty over his own position.
"Parameshwara is waiting to become Chief Minister, but whether his fortune will favour him is doubtful," he added.
Ashoka said Siddaramaiah's "true colours" were exposed in Mysuru, where he was defeated in the 2018 Assembly elections from the Chamundeshwari constituency. Due to strong anti-incumbency, he was then forced to contest from Badami as well in 2018, where he won with a narrow margin.
"The people of Badami supported him, but he abandoned the constituency in the 2023 elections and chose to contest from the Varuna seat in Mysuru. Now he has come back to Bagalkot, and he will abandon this place too," Ashoka said.
He further said that Siddaramaiah had earlier contested from Badami and has now returned again.
"After enjoying the support of the people of Badami, he said goodbye. Now he claims that he will bring a wave of development in two years in Bagalkot. When your own MLA was in power here for three years, what development did your follower bring?" he questioned.
Ashoka added that developmental works carried out earlier by former MLA Veeranna Charantimath still remain in the minds of the people, and expressed confidence that voters would elect him again.
Targeting the Congress government, Ashoka alleged that there has been a power struggle for the Chief Minister's post since it came to power.
"In three years, 30 scams have taken place, from the Valmiki scam to the alleged 60 per cent commission scam involving contractors. A minister, through a liquor lobby, amassed crores and sent money to Delhi. There has been no achievement in three years. No funds have been allocated for irrigation. The Congress leaders are only minting money," he alleged.
He further claimed that not a single dam has been constructed nor any medical college established.
"Since Congress came to power, even primary health centres do not have doctors. There is no money to procure medicines, and no tenders have been floated in three years due to lack of funds. Loans taken in the name of development have only increased. Siddaramaiah has become a ‘pleasure-seeking Ramaiah’ by borrowing heavily," he said.
Ashoka alleged that Siddaramaiah is now approaching smaller communities seeking votes.
Calling the government anti-farmer, Ashoka alleged that no funds have been released for irrigation, while the previous BJP government had allocated substantial funds.
He accused the Congress of diverting taxpayers’ money to Wayanad and questioned the effectiveness of its guarantee schemes. “If the guarantees had truly helped farmers, why would they be committing suicide?” he asked.
He further alleged that the government has diverted Rs 53,000 crore meant for Dalits and has been regularly sending money to the party high command, increasing the state’s debt burden and pushing Karnataka towards decline.