Congress Should Clearly State Its Stand on War or Peace: Opposition Leader R. Ashoka

Congress Plans to Divide Bengaluru, We Will Fight It Legally

Bengaluru Express
Bengaluru, May 16:

Opposition Leader R. Ashoka demanded that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) clearly announce its position on whether it supports war or peace, as some Congress leaders advocate for war while others call for peace.

Speaking at a press conference, Ashoka criticized the Congress, recalling that during its rule, it had begged for aid from the US. He pointed out that during the Mumbai terror attack, which killed 175 people, the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government failed to respond. In contrast, Prime Minister Modi has given a fitting reply, he said. Ashoka noted that India did not sign the Indus Water Treaty, and PM Modi has scrapped it. He added that Congress should have taken such steps during terror attacks and urged Minister Santosh Lad to understand this.

Ashoka claimed that the entire Jammu and Kashmir supports PM Modi, with even the Chief Minister backing the central government. People there have witnessed development, and Modi has declared that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir belongs to India and will be reclaimed. He challenged any Congress leader to make such a bold statement.

Foreign Minister Jaishankar has already ruled out any mediation, yet Congress leaders are “searching for stones in curd,” Ashoka said. While some Congress leaders initially opposed war and favored peace, they later called for war. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, D.K. Shivakumar, and Mallikarjun Kharge welcomed a ceasefire, but others in Congress insisted on continuing the war. Ashoka accused Congress of having multiple factions, with leaders giving contradictory statements despite warnings from Jairam Ramesh.

He urged the AICC to clearly state its stance on whether it wants war, peace, or negotiations before discussing other issues like sessions. Soldiers are still hunting and eliminating terrorists, and everyone should trust them, he said. Congress governs in Kashmir through its allies but never questions that government. Ashoka emphasized that politics should be avoided at such times.

Not Greater, but Quarter Bengaluru

Ashoka accused the Congress government of turning Bengaluru from “Greater” to “Quarter” Bengaluru. While Nadaprabhu Kempegowda built a unified Bengaluru, the Congress government has divided it into three parts, hindering development. He alleged that higher taxes have been imposed on 110 villages and that the plan was designed to benefit certain landholders, betraying Kempegowda’s vision. Dividing Bengaluru will not generate revenue, he argued, as IT-BT hubs are concentrated in one area, leaving others without income. If three municipal corporations are created, there is no guarantee that Kannadigas will become mayors, he added.

Since Chief Ministers are not elected from municipal corporations, how can Siddaramaiah be made chairman of the Greater Bengaluru Authority? Ashoka questioned. He said Siddaramaiah cannot attend municipal meetings, and the BJP opposes Bengaluru’s division. If BJP comes to power, it will work to unify Bengaluru and fight the Greater Bengaluru plan legally.

Ashoka accused Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of acting for personal gain. He claimed BDA layouts remain vacant without water or electricity, and the division plan was made to postpone BBMP elections. Garbage piles up across the city, the Mekedatu project remains unimplemented, and the city’s administration is failing, he said. Instead of admitting these failures, Congress has brought this plan, Ashoka criticized.

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