Belagavi, 3 Oct

Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka predicted that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would step down within the next two months, pointing to internal scuffles within the Congress.

He also accused the ruling party of being in a “coma” while farmers suffer and people lose their homes in flood-hit districts of the State.

Speaking to reporters in Belagavi, Ashoka claimed there was an agreement on leadership rotation and that it was already causing tension within the government. “By November or December, Siddaramaiah will have to give up the post. Differences are evident, and one minister has already resigned,” he said.

Ashoka added that if the Congress government were to collapse, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would not seek to form an alternative administration but was prepared for fresh elections

Ashoka also slammed the government for their action on the flood-hit districts.

“The government is sleeping; it is in coma. No minister is visiting any district. Farmers are suffering, poor people have lost their homes, but the state government is not taking any action," he said. “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar did not come to Belagavi when farmers were suffering due to flood damage, but they are coming to eat biriyani tomorrow,” 

Ashoka alleged that the Congress blames the Centre for everything.

“For everything, they blame Modi. They blame the Central government, but the first action has to be taken by the State government. But the State government is not working. They are fighting for the CM's post. That is the scene of Karnataka,” he said.