In a sharp political attack, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former minister R. Ashoka has claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's most significant achievement is steering Karnataka towards bankruptcy. This criticism came as a direct response to the Chief Minister equalling the record of the late Devaraj Urs as the state's longest-serving chief minister.
A Record Overshadowed by Allegations
Ashoka's remarks shifted focus from the milestone to its perceived cost. He argued that instead of celebrating the political longevity, the focus should be on Siddaramaiah's governance outcomes. "Instead of boasting about breaking the record, what Siddaramaiah has achieved as CM, is more important," Ashoka stated, framing the record tenure within a narrative of financial decline.
The Core of the Controversy
The BJP leader's central allegation is one of severe fiscal mismanagement. By explicitly stating that making Karnataka bankrupt is the CM's biggest achievement, Ashoka has launched a direct assault on the Congress government's economic policies. This charge is likely to become a central theme for the opposition in the state, aiming to counter the narrative of Siddaramaiah's historic tenure matching that of the revered Devaraj Urs, who served from 1972 to 1977 and again from 1978 to 1980.
Political Repercussions and the Road Ahead
This exchange, reported on 06 January 2026, highlights the intensifying political battle in Karnataka. The state's financial health is now positioned as the primary battlefield. Ashoka's comments are designed to undermine the symbolic victory of the record and reframe Siddaramaiah's legacy around debt and fiscal responsibility, setting the stage for a heated debate on governance and economic stewardship in the coming days.
The political discourse is now firmly centered on two contrasting legacies: one of longevity and the other, as alleged by the opposition, of looming financial crisis. How this narrative develops will significantly impact public perception ahead of future electoral contests.
