BJP leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy was addressing reporters in Mysuru on Tuesday. | Photo credit: MA SRIRAM
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy alleged that the state government was paralyzed by an internal power struggle within the Congress and the government had stalled.
Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, the BJP leader said the state has witnessed BJP-JD(S) coalition governments in the past.
“However, for the first time, the state witnessed an exercise by Congress leaders to cobble together the majority by tying MLAs from different factions within their own party to wield power,” he added.
While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimed he was enjoying a majority and would complete a five-year term all these days, the tune has softened and he now says the decision was left to the party high command, which Mr Narayanaswamy said was indicative of a power struggle and instability within the party.
The Congress was so engrossed in internal disputes between Mr Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar that there was a paralysis of state administration, he added.
“There are centers to procure MLA but no centers to procure crops,” he said scathingly, accusing the government of neglecting farmers affected by floods, drought and slump in prices.
He also questioned AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge’s authority and his “failure” to arrest drift in the Congress, saying it was affecting governance in the state.
“As AICC president, if he is not in high command and has to take instructions from Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, then he was appointed to shield Gandhi from criticism and take the blame for failures,” Mr. Narayanaswamy said.
“Though the rift within the Congress is an internal matter, it has affected governance and as a responsible opposition we must raise these issues,” he added.
Mr. Narayanaswamy also hit out at the Congress over its claims to protect the Constitution, alleging that the party has historically sidelined Dr. BR Ambedkar sidelined and diluted constitutional values.
He said it was the BJP that introduced Constitution Day, honored Ambedkar through national programs and ensured wider implementation of constitutional provisions, adding that Dalits were “betrayed again” by diverting SC/ST funds to guarantee schemes.
The Congress spared no effort to prevent a Dalit from becoming Chief Minister and when it was certain that G. Parameshwar was a strong contender to become the first Chief Minister in 2013, Mr. Siddaramaiah ensured his defeat, Mr. Narayanswamy claimed.
Published – 25 Nov 2025 20:58 IST
