Karnataka Assembly Leader of Opposition R Ashoka has launched a sharp attack on the Congress-led state government, accusing it of placing party politics and “high command pleasing” above Karnataka’s global interests by allegedly prioritising Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s transit over the official visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The controversy centres on the absence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar during key moments of Chancellor Merz’s visit to Karnataka, particularly Bengaluru, which Ashoka described as a missed opportunity for the state to strengthen international ties and attract foreign investment. Instead, both leaders were present at Mysuru airport to receive Rahul Gandhi, who was reportedly transiting through the city en route to Ooty.

In a strongly worded statement, Ashoka questioned the priorities of the state’s top leadership, arguing that welcoming a visiting head of government from one of the world’s strongest economies should have taken precedence over internal party considerations. He alleged that the Congress leadership in Karnataka chose political loyalty over the state’s long-term economic and strategic interests.

“Any other responsible Chief Minister would have personally ensured that such a high-profile international visit was accorded the seriousness it deserved,” Ashoka said. “This was an opportunity for investment, industry, employment and long-term growth for Karnataka. Instead, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister chose to be elsewhere.”

According to Ashoka, Chancellor Merz’s visit carried significant symbolic and practical importance, particularly at a time when global economies are increasingly interconnected and Indian states are competing aggressively to attract foreign capital, technology partnerships and skilled employment. Germany is among India’s most important economic partners in Europe, with deep links in manufacturing, engineering, renewable energy and advanced technology.

During his visit, Chancellor Merz toured the Indian headquarters of German technology major Bosch and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru. These engagements underscored Germany’s longstanding industrial presence in Karnataka and the potential for deeper collaboration in research, innovation and high-end manufacturing.

Ashoka argued that the absence of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister during such engagements sent the wrong message to international investors and diplomatic partners. “Welcoming the head of a country is not a routine event,” he said. “It reflects the seriousness with which a state views global partnerships. In this case, that seriousness was conspicuously missing.”

The BJP leader went further, alleging that the Congress government’s actions reflected a pattern of prioritising internal party dynamics over governance. He claimed that the presence of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at Mysuru airport to receive Rahul Gandhi, who was only transiting through the state, highlighted an obsession with maintaining favour with the party’s central leadership.

“Welcoming the head of state from one of the world’s strongest economies was relegated to the back seat,” Ashoka said. “Political loyalty and high command pleasing took priority over Karnataka’s global standing.”

Ashoka also drew attention to what he described as a double standard within the Congress party. He recalled how the party had raised strong objections last year when Rahul Gandhi was not invited to a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin. At the time, Congress leaders had portrayed the omission as a slight to democratic norms and the stature of the Leader of the Opposition.

“In that instance, Congress was quick to take offence and cry protocol and respect,” Ashoka said. “But when it comes to respecting a visiting foreign leader and leveraging the opportunity for the state, the same party seems indifferent.”

The LoP described the episode as not merely a matter of optics but one that reflected a deeper disregard for Karnataka’s interests. He warned that such actions could undermine the state’s reputation as a reliable and proactive destination for global investors.

“This is not just bad optics,” Ashoka said. “It reflects a deep disregard for the state’s interests. Karnataka deserves leadership that puts the state before the party, the state’s progress before power politics, and global opportunities before political appeasement.”

Adding another layer to the political context, Ashoka pointed to the ongoing power tussle within the Karnataka Congress, particularly speculation surrounding the Chief Minister’s post. Observers have noted recurring tensions between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar over leadership and succession issues. During the Mysuru airport meeting, Shivakumar was reportedly seen speaking privately with Rahul Gandhi, a moment that drew attention amid ongoing speculation about the balance of power within the state government.

For the BJP, this internal Congress dynamic has become a central theme in its critique of the ruling party. Ashoka suggested that the alleged sidelining of Chancellor Merz’s visit was symptomatic of a government more focused on internal equations than on governance and development.

The Congress, for its part, has not immediately issued a detailed response to Ashoka’s allegations. Party leaders have previously maintained that international engagements are handled through institutional mechanisms and that the absence of specific political figures does not necessarily diminish the importance of such visits. However, the optics of the episode have fuelled criticism from the opposition and sparked debate about protocol, priorities and leadership responsibility.

Political analysts note that Karnataka, as one of India’s most industrialised and globally connected states, has a strong track record of engaging with foreign governments and multinational corporations. Bengaluru, in particular, is seen as a global technology hub with deep ties to European, American and East Asian companies. In this context, the perception that the state’s top leadership did not accord full attention to a visiting German Chancellor has become a potent political issue.

Ashoka’s remarks are likely to resonate beyond partisan politics, tapping into broader concerns about how Indian states project themselves on the global stage. As competition among states intensifies to attract foreign direct investment, talent and technology, symbolic gestures and high-level engagement are increasingly seen as integral to economic diplomacy.

Whether the episode will have any lasting impact on Karnataka’s relations with Germany or on investor sentiment remains to be seen. However, it has provided fresh ammunition to the BJP in its effort to portray the Congress government as distracted by internal politics and insufficiently focused on governance and development.

For now, the incident has reignited debate over leadership priorities, protocol and the balance between party loyalty and public interest—questions that are likely to remain central to Karnataka’s political discourse in the months ahead.