Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday, 10 October 2026, launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for travelling to New Delhi while farmers across the state grapple with severe crop losses amid worsening drought conditions. Ashoka urged the Chief Minister to visit villages instead, accusing the Congress government of prioritising Delhi politics over rural distress.

Ashoka's Direct Challenge to Shivakumar

'Come to the villages, not Delhi, Shiva,' Ashoka said in a statement, alleging that farmers were waiting for adequate compensation and support while the Chief Minister was in the national capital to 'serve the interests of the Congress high command.' He accused Congress leaders of using political theatrics to divert public attention from what he described as administrative failures, ongoing scandals, and serious allegations against the government.

'What we need now is not Delhi, but our villages. Farmers need leaders to visit them, listen to their distress and offer them support,' Ashoka said.

Rural Karnataka's Mounting Crisis

Ashoka listed several urgent issues afflicting rural Karnataka that he argued demanded the government's immediate attention: the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu, farmers abandoning their villages, distress sales of cattle, and acute drinking water shortages. He also criticised Congress leaders for raising the issue of 'vote chori' — alleged electoral fraud — while farmers were in hardship, arguing that the government had failed in its core responsibility towards the agrarian community. He claimed Congress would 'soon lose power in Karnataka.'

Ashoka Questions Sting Operation Row

The BJP leader also took aim at CM Shivakumar's recent claims that attempts were made to trap him through a sting operation. Ashoka said that if anyone had conspired to damage the image of political leaders under the guise of such an operation, the government — which controls the state police and intelligence wing — should conduct a proper, transparent investigation rather than engaging in public posturing.

'When the state police department and intelligence wing are under the government's control, it should conduct a proper investigation if anyone has deliberately conspired to tarnish the image of political leaders in the name of a sting operation. Instead, staging political drama before the public by threatening to release documents is not appropriate,' Ashoka said.

He challenged the government to release any evidence it possesses and submit it for investigation, asking pointedly: 'If there is evidence, release it and submit it for investigation. If you have done nothing wrong, why are you afraid?'

Calls for Transparent Governance

Ashoka urged the state government to answer outstanding allegations — including those related to alleged honey traps, blackmail, and sting operations that he said had surfaced in recent months — and to focus on transparent governance and impartial action rather than trading accusations. The BJP's broadside comes as the Congress-led Karnataka government faces pressure on multiple political fronts, and signals an intensifying opposition offensive ahead of the next electoral cycle.