R Ashoka Accuses Congress Govt of Allowing Kerala’s Influence Over Karnataka Governance

Hubballi: Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R. Ashoka on Friday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, for allowing Kerala’s influence to dominate Karnataka’s administration.

Speaking to reporters here, Ashoka criticised the State government for lack of firm stand on Kerala’s recently proposed Malayalam language bill, which seeks to make Malayalam the compulsory first language in government and aided schools, including Kannada-medium schools, in border districts such as Kasaragod.

He claimed the move would pose a serious threat to Kannada-medium schools in border areas, particularly in districts of Kerala that have a significant Kannada-speaking population. “This will endanger the future of Kannada schools in border regions,” he said.

Continuing his attack, Ashoka alleged that while political power is concentrated in Kerala, financial resources were being diverted towards Kerala at the cost of Karnataka.

“Power is in Kerala and money is also going to Kerala. There is instability in Karnataka, and Kerala is taking advantage of it. AICC general secretary KC Venugopal is exerting pressure on Karnataka. We do not even know who is really running the government here,” he alleged.

Referring to power concentration in Kerala, he said that KC Venugopal, a powerful general secretary of the Congress party hails from Kerala, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had won an election there, and Rahul Gandhi was formerly an MP from the State. “Karnataka is being ruled by Kerala,” he alleged.

Ashoka also invoked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s past association with Kannada organisations, noting that he had once served as the first chairman of the Kannada Kavalu Samiti. “Developments like these taking place during his tenure amount to an insult to Siddaramaiah himself,” he said.

He further criticised Siddaramaiah for sharing the stage with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who had earlier described the Karnataka government as a “bulldozer government.” “Today, there is an attack on Kannada, and that is why I say Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar must speak up,” Ashoka said.

Questioning the government’s response, Ashoka said issuing a mere press statement reflected a lack of resolve. “If the Chief Minister has any self-respect, he should strongly oppose this move,” he asserted.

Ashoka also alleged that Karnataka had extended financial assistance to Kerala even when funds were not available for housing flood-affected families within the State. “While there was no money to build houses for flood-hit people in Karnataka, crores of rupees were given to Kerala,” he said.

Ends.