'High command pleasing': BJP slams Karnataka Congress for ‘prioritising’ Rahul Gandhi over German Chancellor's visit

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stopped in Mysuru and was welcomed by Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar on January 13, 2025. (Image: @siddaramaiah/X)

Karnataka Assembly Leader of Opposition and BJP leader R Ashoka criticised the Congress government's top leadership for "prioritising" party leader Rahul Gandhi's transit at Mysuru airport over German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit.

Questioning Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for missing Merz's visit, the BJP leader alleged that they prioritised "high command pleasing" over the state's global standing.

Merz landed at the Kempegowda International Airport on Tuesday and was welcomed by Karnataka Minister for Large And Medium Industries, MB Patil, and senior officials.

"Today, the German Federal Chancellor visited Karnataka - a moment of immense diplomatic, economic and strategic significance for our state. Any other responsible Chief Minister would have personally ensured that such a visit was accorded the seriousness it deserved - as an opportunity for investment, industry, employment and long-term growth for Karnataka," Ashoka wrote.

Misplaced priorities Missed opportunities Today, 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/pDjq5Oj6q2pic.twitter.com/t8k981Q60K

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— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) January 13, 2026

"But look at the situation today... While the German Chancellor landed in Bengaluru, Chief Minister @siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister @DKShivakumar chose to be in Mysuru to receive @RahulGandhi, who was merely transiting to Ooty," he added.

R Ashoka further termed their actions as a "missed opportunity" for investment, industry, employment and long-term growth for Karnataka.

His reaction came after Congress had raised strong objections when Rahul Gandhi was not invited to a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit last year.

R Ashoka said that welcoming the head of a country was "relegated to the back seat" for "political loyalty", accusing the top Karnataka leadership of "disregarding" the state's interests.

"This is not just bad optics - it reflects a deep disregard for the state's interests. Karnataka deserves leadership that puts the state before the party, the state's progress before power politics, and global opportunities before political appeasement," he added, ANI reported.

During his visit to Bengaluru, the German chancellor and his delegation visited the Bosch campus at Adugodi as well as the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science. They left Bengaluru the same evening.