‘Political loyalty’: Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar under BJP fire for 'prioritising' Rahul Gandhi over German chancellor | India News

BJP's Karnataka president, BY Vijayendra, has launched a critique against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, accusing them of prioritizing political loyalty over diplomatic protocol. The controversy erupted after the two leaders reportedly chose to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, overlooking an opportunity to welcome the visiting German Chancellor during his official tour of India. Vijayendra argued that such a decision reflects misplaced priorities, sparking a debate on the balance between political allegiance and diplomatic engagements. In response to these allegations, Siddaramaiah's office clarified that the meeting with Rahul Gandhi was pre-scheduled and pivotal for discussing pressing state issues. They emphasized that the German Chancellor's visit was adequately represented by other senior officials, ensuring no diplomatic slight occurred. This explanation, however, has done little to quell the criticism from BJP leaders, who insist that the move undermines Karnataka's stature on the international stage. Political analysts note that this incident highlights the broader political tussle between the Congress and BJP in Karnataka. As both parties gear up for forthcoming elections, such accusations are likely to intensify, with each side eager to underscore the other's missteps. The BJP's focus on this diplomatic episode aims to question Congress's governance priorities, while Congress strives to defend its decisions as strategically sound within the broader context of state and party dynamics.

— Authored by Next24 Live