Former Karnataka chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda on Wednesday sharpened the Bharatiya Janata Party’s offensive against the ruling Congress government, asserting that the BJP would not hesitate to act if the state administration were to collapse due to what he described as the Congress’s “self-inflicted instability.” His remarks come at a time when the state is witnessing heightened political tensions, internal rifts within the Congress, and increasingly confrontational statements from the opposition benches.

Speaking to reporters, Gowda said that the BJP’s course of action would be determined solely by directions issued by the party’s national leadership. If the high command were to oppose mid-term elections in the event of a collapse of the Congress government, he said, the BJP would “attempt to form a government” rather than head into an early electoral contest. While stopping short of predicting a fall of the government, he emphasised that the ruling party had created an environment of instability through internal rivalries and political mismanagement.

Gowda described the Congress as a “sinking ship” with diminishing clout across the country. “The party governs only three states, out of which two are very small. The crisis in Karnataka is one of their own making, and if the government falls due to the self-inflicted crimes of the Congress, we will implement the orders given by our national leadership,” he said.

While Gowda’s tone suggested that the BJP saw political opportunity in the Congress’s internal troubles, leader of the opposition R Ashoka took a far more aggressive stance. Addressing reporters at a separate press interaction, Ashoka said the Congress high command must “prove that it is not weak” by immediately clarifying who will be the chief minister in Karnataka. His remarks pointed to the ongoing speculation surrounding tensions between chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, particularly with discussions of leadership changes dominating political chatter in recent weeks.

Ashoka said the opposition was fully prepared for the upcoming assembly session, with plans to raise issues related to the development of north Karnataka, irrigation challenges and widespread complaints about school closures. According to him, the BJP and JD(S) have co-authored a resolution highlighting the region’s long-standing grievances, which they intend to table on the very first day of the session. “In the past, discussions on these issues would be pushed to the last days of the session, and the government would respond casually. This time, we will not allow that,” he said.

The former deputy chief minister framed the Congress government as politically weakened beyond repair. In one of his strongest criticisms, Ashoka declared, “The Congress is dead in the state now, and the chief minister is doing the work of carrying its coffin. The only question left in the debate over changing the CM is about who will carry the coffin next.” He went on to claim that even if the Congress were to invite the BJP to form a new government, the BJP would not accept such an offer.

The opposition leader also touched upon agricultural distress, stating that farmers had lost their second crop due to the government’s failure to install a crest gate at the Tungabhadra dam. He demanded compensation of ₹25,000 per acre for affected farmers and criticised the government over its handling of support prices for maize and sugarcane growers in at least 29 taluks. Ashoka insisted that there was no confusion within the BJP regarding these demands, countering allegations that the party itself was divided on key policy issues.

The political rhetoric intensified further when Ashoka launched a personal attack on deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, questioning his stature within the Vokkaliga community and suggesting he lacked legitimacy as a community leader. Referring to Shivakumar’s past statements and political conduct, Ashoka remarked, “When was DK Shivakumar a Vokkaliga leader? He is only a brother to Sabari and not to us. Therefore, we do not accept him as a Vokkaliga leader.”

Shivakumar was quick to respond, dismissing the comments as petty and politically motivated. “When have I said that I am a Vokkaliga leader?” he asked. “I am a Congress leader born as a Vokkaliga. Even if we leave caste and religion, they won’t leave us. Ashoka is wearing the badge of a Vokkaliga leader.” Reiterating his commitment to the Congress, Shivakumar added, “There is no need for BJP and JD(S) leaders to talk about our party matters. They should mind their own party affairs. My party will take care of my interests. I am a pure Congressman.”

Shivakumar’s remarks reflect the Congress’s attempt to project unity despite the undercurrent of factional tensions that have been widely discussed in political circles. Reports of late-night meetings between senior leaders, coupled with speculation about Siddaramaiah’s future, have fuelled rumours of a possible leadership transition. However, both Siddaramaiah loyalists and Shivakumar’s camp have repeatedly denied that any change is on the horizon.

Ashoka’s sharp comments on the government’s stability also signal that the opposition intends to keep the leadership debate in the public eye, using internal Congress issues as ammunition to portray the ruling party as fragmented and directionless. The BJP’s strategy appears aimed at capitalising on these divisions while simultaneously positioning itself as a credible alternative ready to step in should the political situation shift.

The Congress, for its part, has attempted to rebut suggestions of instability by focusing on governance achievements and accusing the BJP of fearmongering. Yet, the intensifying war of words shows that Karnataka’s political landscape is entering a more confrontational phase, with both sides preparing for a prolonged struggle over public perception and internal coherence.

As the assembly session approaches, the issues raised—from regional development to agricultural concerns—are likely to dominate legislative discussions. But the overarching shadow of a potential political shake-up will continue to influence how parties frame debates and respond to emerging challenges.

For now, while the BJP positions itself as a spectator ready to act on command and the Congress battles internal and external pressures, Karnataka’s political climate remains volatile. Whether the tensions translate into actual shifts in the state’s power structure will depend not only on the ruling party’s ability to manage internal contradictions but also on how aggressively the opposition chooses to press its advantage in the coming weeks.