BJP's national leaders will decide on Rajya Sabha seat, says R Ashoka as Deve Gowda's term nears end

'The Congress high command has become a 'weak command'. Both the state leaders have been made to wait in separate rooms in Delhi. Negotiations are underway. I see no future for Shivakumar', Ashoka said.

Hassan: Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly R Ashoka has said that with the Rajya Sabha tenure of JD(S) supremo and MP H D Deve Gowda coming to an end, BJP leader D V Sadananda Gowda is an aspirant for the post. However, the national BJP leaders will take a decision in the interest of the state and the nation.

Speaking to reporters in Hassan, on Tuesday, he also spoke on the BJP state party chief, saying, "The BJP's national president and Parliamentary Board will take a decision on the post. The incumbent leader may stay, or a new one will be appointed. Whatever their decision is, we welcome it".

Change in CM

Commenting on the change in the CM's post in Karnataka, he said, "The Congress high command has become a 'weak command'. Both the state leaders have been made to wait in separate rooms in Delhi. Negotiations are underway. I see no future for Shivakumar".

Ashoka added, "The MLAs and ministers are touring Delhi. Congress leaders leave Delhi and come to Karnataka. Pay salaries to anganwadi workers. How can you go to Delhi to have fun? You have been given power for five years, but you are having fun. People are regretting voting for the Congress".

On fuel hike

Rubbishing the allegations of fuel price hike, Ashoka said, "With a rise in fuel price hike, it is the state government which will get an additional profit of Rs 6,000 crore, and not the Union government. Siddaramaiah is cheating the people. Let the anti-people CM provide information on how much tax the government is earning".

On NDA government

"Alliance means give and take. People will reject the Congress government in 2028. The BJP-led NDA government will come to power in the state. We will fight elections in the name of Narendra Modi, BJP and Lotus symbol," he said.