Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader R Ashoka has launched a sharp attack on the ruling Congress party in Karnataka, dismissing its recent efforts at internal reconciliation as a temporary "interval" in a political drama. He alleged that the high-profile meetings between top state leaders are part of a script directed by the party's central leadership.
Ashoka's Allegations of a Scripted Drama
R Ashoka, a prominent opposition figure, did not mince words while commenting on the recent meetings between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. He framed these parleys as a staged performance orchestrated from Delhi. "A few days ago there was a breakfast meeting in Siddaramaiah’s house and today it was in D K Shivakumar’s residence," Ashoka stated, highlighting the sequence of events.
He then extended his theatrical metaphor to make a direct accusation against the Congress high command. "This scene is directed by Sonia Gandhi, the screenplay is by Rahul Gandhi and K C Venugopal has written the dialogues," Ashoka claimed. This pointed remark suggests he believes the Karnataka leaders are merely following instructions to present a united front, rather than engaging in genuine conflict resolution.
The Context of Congress's Internal Dynamics
The meetings between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have been closely watched in political circles, as they aim to address and smooth over any perceived friction within the state's dual-power structure. The Congress party has historically seen internal debates and competition between various factions, and Karnataka is no exception.
Ashoka's characterization of the truce as merely an "interval" implies a belief that the underlying tensions are far from resolved and will resurface. His comments, made on December 2, 2025, are designed to project an image of a fragile and artificially managed ruling party, contrasting it with the BJP's own narrative of discipline.
Political Repercussions and Narrative Battle
This verbal offensive is a clear attempt by the BJP to keep the spotlight on Congress's internal affairs. By personalizing the critique and naming national figures like Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Ashoka seeks to reinforce a perception of remote control from Delhi, a common line of attack used by the BJP against the Congress in states.
The statement serves multiple political purposes:
- It undermines the authenticity of the Congress leadership's unity efforts in Karnataka.
- It keeps the internal dynamics of the ruling party in the news cycle.
- It positions the BJP as an observer pointing out governance distractions.
As the principal opposition in the state, the BJP, through leaders like R Ashoka, aims to capitalize on any sign of discord within the Congress ranks. The metaphor of a directed scene with writers and a director is a potent one, intended to resonate with the public and frame the Congress's actions as insincere political theatre rather than substantive administrative focus.
