Karnataka LoP R. Ashoka accuses Congress of issuing PRCs to Bangladeshis for vote bank
Synopsis
Karnataka's BJP opposition has accused the Congress state government of issuing Permanent Resident Certificates to Bangladeshi nationals — a move it calls 'anti-national' and vote-bank politics ahead of GBA and Zilla Panchayat elections. With a BJP memorandum now before the Governor, the allegation is set to dominate Karnataka's political discourse.
Key Takeaways
Ashoka on 15 July alleged the Congress government was issuing PRCs to Bangladeshi nationals to build a vote bank.
BJP submitted a memorandum to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot , who reportedly assured the delegation the government would be cautioned.
Ashoka claimed PRC holders would gain access to ration cards, health cards, housing , and other welfare benefits.
He alleged a rise in activities of banned outfits PFI and KFD in Karnataka, warning of extremism risks.
Ashoka also accused the state of releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu 'secretly' and criticised the government's handling of drought relief funds.
Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Wednesday, 15 July alleged that the state's Congress government was attempting to issue Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs) to nationals from Bangladesh and other countries, purportedly to build a vote bank ahead of upcoming local body elections. Ashoka made the allegations while addressing reporters at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru, confirming that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had submitted a memorandum to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot urging intervention.
Key Allegations by the Opposition
According to Ashoka, the state government's alleged plan would grant Bangladeshi nationals the status of permanent residents, making them eligible for welfare benefits including ration cards, health cards, housing, and other government schemes. He argued that this amounted to an 'anti-national' exercise designed to retain voters for the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections and Zilla Panchayat polls.
Ashoka further claimed it was unclear whether PRC recipients were nationals of Bangladesh, Pakistan, or Nigeria, and stressed that only the Central government holds the constitutional authority to issue such certificates — not a state government.
PFI and Extremism Concerns Raised
The opposition leader also alleged that the activities of banned and extremist-linked organisations, including the Popular Front of India (PFI) and the Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD), had already seen an uptick in the state. He warned that granting voting rights to undocumented individuals under such circumstances could, in his view, potentially fuel extremist and terrorist activities — though he offered no independent evidence for this claim.
Ashoka also drew a contrast with the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, arguing that the PRC move contradicted the spirit of the exercise, which he said was aimed at ensuring only legitimate Indian citizens received electoral rights.
Governor's Response
Ashoka stated that Governor Gehlot had assured the BJP delegation that the state government would be cautioned on the matter. The Governor has not issued an independent public statement on the issue, according to available reports.
Drought Relief and Cauvery Water Row
Separately, Ashoka criticised the state government's handling of drought relief, questioning the utilisation of funds under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). He said that to qualify for assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), the government must first formally declare drought-affected areas and submit reports covering crop loss, drinking water scarcity, and fodder shortages.
He also alleged that Karnataka was releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu 'secretly' and accused the state government of attempting to deflect blame onto the Union government. Ashoka urged the government to immediately declare a drought and extend financial relief to farmers, as well as address drinking water and livestock-related concerns.
The Congress government in Karnataka is yet to formally respond to the PRC allegations; a rebuttal, if any, is expected to sharpen the political battle ahead of the GBA elections.
Point of View
As yet, unsubstantiated by documentary evidence — the Congress government has not confirmed any PRC issuance to foreign nationals, and no official order has been cited. The timing is telling: with GBA and Zilla Panchayat elections on the horizon, the PRC charge follows a well-worn BJP playbook of linking the Congress to illegal immigration. What is notable is the Governor's reported assurance to the BJP delegation — if Gehlot does formally caution the elected government, it would mark an unusual executive intervention in state politics. The bundling of the PRC allegation with the Cauvery water dispute and drought relief criticism suggests a broader opposition offensive rather than a single-issue concern.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PRC controversy in Karnataka?
Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka has alleged that the Congress state government is planning to issue Permanent Resident Certificates to Bangladeshi nationals, making them eligible for welfare benefits and, he claims, creating a vote bank ahead of local body elections. The Congress government has not publicly confirmed or denied the specific allegation.
Why does Ashoka say only the Central government can issue PRCs?
Ashoka argued that under the Indian constitutional framework, the authority to confer permanent resident status on foreign nationals rests exclusively with the Central government, not state governments. He described the state's alleged move as legally invalid and 'anti-national.'
What did Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot say about the BJP's memorandum?
According to R. Ashoka, Governor Gehlot assured the BJP delegation that the state government would be cautioned over the issue. The Governor's office has not issued an independent public statement as of available reports.
Which elections is the BJP linking the PRC move to?
Ashoka alleged the PRCs were being issued to retain voters for the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections and Zilla Panchayat polls, framing it as an electoral strategy by the ruling Congress.
What other issues did Ashoka raise at the press conference?
Beyond the PRC allegation, Ashoka criticised the state government's handling of drought relief under the SDRF and NDRF, urged a formal drought declaration, and alleged that Karnataka was releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu 'secretly' while blaming the Union government.
