Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok, who did not rule out Karnataka facing mid-term polls amid a struggle for power in the ruling Congress, expressed confidence of the BJP-JD(S) combine securing a two-thirds majority if the elections are held.
Speaking to reporters in Chamarajanagar on Sunday, Mr. Ashok said the results of the Bihar elections, where the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a sweeping mandate, will be repeated in Karnataka if elections are held.
“We will secure more than two-thirds majority in view of the alliance between the BJP and the JD(S),” he claimed.
He slammed the “corrupt” Congress government that “collected 60% commission” allegedly to clear the bills of contractors. He claimed that the State treasury was empty and there were no funds to pay the salaries of government employees. Also, no development work had taken place in Karnataka, he claimed.
Mr. Ashok dismissed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations on vote theft. Everytime the Congress loses an election, the party makes such an allegation, he said and questioned why the issue of vote theft was not raised when the party won 136 seats in Karnataka.
He also termed Mr. Gandhi as a “part-time” politician, who visits foreign countries during elections. On the contrary, BJP leaders Narendra Modi and Amit Shah toil along with the party workers during elections and enjoy the fruits of their “hard work”.
The people of Bihar have rejected the “goonda raj” of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s party and the “maladministration” of the Congress.
The Congress leaders should conduct an introspection of their loss instead of raising the bogey of “vote theft”. The Congress party’s nationwide “vote theft” campaign has been rejected by the people, who have given the NDA a mandate in Bihar, he said.
After the Congress party’s loss in Bihar, Mr. Ashok said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s position in the party has become strong. “Till now, Mr. Siddaramaiah was listening to what Mr. Gandhi was saying. Now, Mr. Gandhi will have to listen to what Mr. Siddaramaiah says,” he remarked.
Though there was an agreement on “transfer of power” in Karnataka, the Congress high command has fallen weak after the outcome of the Bihar polls, he said.
Published – November 16, 2025 08:32 pm IST
