R Ashoka, the BJP’s Leader of Opposition in Karnataka, on Tuesday sharply criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for skipping German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s arrival in Bengaluru.
He accused the state’s top leadership of prioritising party politics over Karnataka’s economic and strategic interests.
Ashoka alleged that the Chief Minister and his deputy chose to receive Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his brief stopover in Mysuru en route to Ooty, instead of welcoming Chancellor Merz, who arrived in Bengaluru on January 13, 2026.
Calling the decision ‘deeply irresponsible’, Ashoka said the move sent a negative signal to global investors and international partners engaging with Karnataka.
The German Chancellor’s visit marked his first official trip to India after assuming office. His Bengaluru stop focused on strengthening economic and technological cooperation between India and Germany.
Merz visited Bosch’s Adugodi campus and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), underlining Germany’s interest in Karnataka’s innovation ecosystem, research capabilities, and high-tech manufacturing potential.
Ashoka highlighted that Germany has committed nearly €10 billion to its Indo-Pacific strategy and described Karnataka as a natural partner for technology-driven investments.
He argued that the absence of the state’s political leadership at such a moment undermined Karnataka’s position as India’s leading technology hub.
Ashoka followed up his criticism with a social media post that included an image of Chancellor Merz being received at the airport.
Misplaced priorities
Missed opportunitiesToday, the German Federal Chancellor visited Karnataka – a moment of immense diplomatic, economic and strategic significance for our state.
Any other responsible Chief Minsiter would have personally ensured that such a visit was… https://t.co/pDjq5Oj6q2 pic.twitter.com/t8k981Q60K
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) January 13, 2026
The post quickly gained traction, recording over 1,456 likes and triggering a heated online debate.
Political Reactions Split Along Party Lines
BJP supporters accused the Congress government of placing ‘party over state’, while Congress sympathisers countered that the opposition lacked any formal role in protocol or governance decisions.
Congress supporters also argued that official arrangements did not mandate the Chief Minister’s presence and claimed the visit proceeded smoothly through institutional engagement.
However, Ashoka maintained that symbolic gestures matter in diplomacy and investment outreach, especially during high-profile international visits.
Political analysts said the episode reflects growing tensions ahead of key political milestones in Karnataka.
They noted that international visits often become flashpoints in domestic politics, especially when global economic engagement intersects with partisan rivalry.
As debates continue, the controversy has once again placed Karnataka’s leadership choices under scrutiny, highlighting the delicate balance between political commitments and the expectations of global diplomacy and investment-driven growth.
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