Karnataka BJP's R. Ashoka: Congress ditched DMK, INDIA bloc must introspect
Synopsis
Karnataka BJP's R. Ashoka has accused the Congress of abandoning its DMK ally in Tamil Nadu after the election results, warning INDIA bloc partners they could face the same fate. The charge, paired with fresh attacks on Siddaramaiah and Rahul Gandhi over EVMs and the Sringeri recount, signals a coordinated BJP push to deepen opposition fault lines.
Key Takeaways
Ashoka (BJP, Karnataka) alleged on 6 May that Congress betrayed its ally DMK in Tamil Nadu after election results.
Ashoka accused Congress of having "stabbed the DMK in the back" and called on all INDIA bloc partners to introspect.
On the Sringeri recount row, Speaker U.T.
Khader agreed to administer the oath to BJP MLA D.N.
Jeevaraj after the matter was taken to the Governor .
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was criticised for not approaching the court earlier if he believed there was wrongdoing.
Rahul Gandhi was accused of making contradictory statements on EVMs depending on election outcomes.
R. Ashoka, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, on Wednesday, 6 May alleged that the Indian National Congress (Congress) has betrayed its ally Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, and called on all INDIA bloc partners to introspect over the development. Ashoka made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the BJP's party office in Bengaluru.
Congress Accused of Abandoning DMK
Ashoka alleged that despite contesting elections alongside the DMK in Tamil Nadu, the Congress shifted its stance after the results were declared and effectively abandoned its alliance partner. He claimed the episode had exposed the Congress's true nature, leaving DMK leaders who had placed their trust in the party deeply disappointed.
Point of View
The BJP seeks to erode the INDIA bloc's credibility before it can consolidate. The EVM argument, however, cuts both ways: the BJP has itself faced scrutiny on electoral processes, and repeated invocation of the issue risks keeping the debate alive rather than closing it. The more substantive question is whether the DMK, a powerful regional force, will publicly validate or rebuff the BJP's characterisation — its silence or response will determine how much political mileage this episode actually yields.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did R. Ashoka allege about Congress and DMK?
R. Ashoka alleged that the Congress, despite contesting elections alongside the DMK in Tamil Nadu, abandoned the alliance after the results and reneged on an understanding to jointly form the government. He accused Congress of betraying the DMK and warned other INDIA bloc partners to take note.
What is the Sringeri recount controversy?
The Sringeri recount controversy involves a dispute over the swearing-in of BJP MLA D.N. Jeevaraj following a recount in the Sringeri constituency. After the matter was escalated to the Governor, Speaker U.T. Khader agreed to administer the oath, which Ashoka welcomed as a vindication of the BJP's position.
Why did Ashoka criticise Chief Minister Siddaramaiah?
Ashoka criticised Siddaramaiah for not approaching the court earlier if he believed there was wrongdoing in the Sringeri election result, accusing him of instead attempting to delay the swearing-in through the Speaker's office.
What is the BJP's criticism of Rahul Gandhi on EVMs?
Ashoka accused Rahul Gandhi of making inconsistent statements on EVMs across different states, arguing that Congress accepts election results when it wins but questions the ECI and EVMs when it loses.
Why does the BJP want INDIA bloc partners to introspect?
The BJP argues that the Congress's alleged abandonment of the DMK in Tamil Nadu reveals a pattern of untrustworthiness toward alliance partners. Ashoka warned that other INDIA bloc members could face a similar situation if they continue to rely on Congress.
