From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jan 3: In a sharp reaction to the Congress government’s decision on 15% bus fare hike in all State Transport undertakings in the absence of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, BJP opposition leader R Ashok on Friday taunted the Deputy Chief Minister that he has been snubbed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

In a post on X, the BJP leader alleged that the Siddaramaiah government was waiting for Shivakumar’s planned foreign travel to take a major decision like a steep 15% hike bus fares in all the State Transport Undertakings.

While the Chief Minister has sought to sideline the Deputy Chief Minister, Ashok said Public Works Minister Satish Jarakiholi, another strong claimant for the coveted post of Chief Ministership in the State, has exhibited his one-upmanship by hosting a dinner meeting of 35 Congress MLAs at his residence on Thursday.

“Both the decisions, when viewed together indicate that Shivakumar is being deliberately snubbed and sidelined in the Congress party,” Ashok said.

Ashok ridiculed Shivakumar that his dream of becoming the Chief Minister will fizzle out.

'Priyank isn’t Kalaburagi Nizam'

In another post, the BJP leader said Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge is not the Nizam of Kalaburagi district over his reported statement that the Kharge family can prevent BJP workers from entering the Kalaburagi district if it wanted.

“Merely because of becoming a minister twice, you (Priyank Kharge) are not the Nizam of Kalaburagi Republic or bigger than Babasaheb Dr B R Ambedkar. Don’t the BJP workers have constitutionally guaranteed rights to visit Kalaburagi,” he asked.

Ashok reminded Priyank Kharge not to be arrogant merely by virtue of his ministerial post or being the son of AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge.