BENGALURU: Leader of the Opposition R Ashok on December 23 launched a scathing attack on the ruling Congress government, accusing it of presiding over what he termed as the “biggest scandal” in the state — the non-disbursement of two months’ assistance under the Grihalakshmi scheme. Addressing a press conference at Vidhana Soudha, Ashok demanded answers from the government on the whereabouts of the funds allocated for February and March and warned of sustained agitation until beneficiaries received their dues.
ಬೆಳಗಾವಿಯ ವಿಧಾನಮಂಡಲ ಅಧಿವೇಶನದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಚಿವೆ @laxmi_hebbalkar ಅವರು ಫೆಬ್ರವರಿ ಮತ್ತು ಮಾರ್ಚ್ ತಿಂಗಳ ಗೃಹಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ಹಣ ಪಾವತಿ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಸುಳ್ಳು ಮಾಹಿತಿ ನೀಡಿದಾಗಿನಿಂದಲೂ ಗ್ಯಾರೆಂಟಿ ಯೋಜನೆಯ ಹಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾರಿ ಪ್ರಮಾಣದ ಭ್ರಷ್ಟಾಚಾರ, ಅವ್ಯವಹಾರ, ಅಕ್ರಮ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಅನುಮಾನವಿದ್ದು, ಈ ನಿಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಗೃಹಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ಯೋಜನೆಯ ಬಜೆಟ್ ಅನುದಾನ… pic.twitter.com/3N6zwMtefh
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) December 24, 2025
Ashok alleged that the Congress government had betrayed 1.26 crore women across Karnataka by failing to release the promised financial assistance under one of its flagship schemes. “Two months of Grihalakshmi money has not been disbursed. Where has the money gone? The Chief Minister is busy saving his chair instead of governing the state. This is nothing but cheating poor women,” he charged.
The BJP leader said the opposition would continue to fight both inside and outside the legislature until the pending amount was released to all beneficiaries. He also criticised the concerned minister, alleging that the minister had not even been present in Bengaluru to address the issue, reflecting the government’s indifference towards women beneficiaries.
Turning his attention to the recently passed Hate Speech Bill, Ashok accused the Congress of bulldozing legislation without allowing the opposition to speak. He alleged that the bill was introduced solely to target the media and opposition parties. “This bill is meant to silence voices, send journalists and opposition leaders to jail and suppress dissent. We have strongly opposed it,” he said.
Ashok stated that Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot is expected to return to Bengaluru on December 29, and that BJP leaders would meet him to request intervention. “We will urge the Governor to stop this unconstitutional and dangerous bill,” he added.
Taking a dig at the internal power struggle within the Congress, Ashok made sarcastic remarks targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. “Siddaramaiah will not give up power, and DK Shivakumar will not leave the temple. This is what is happening in Karnataka today,” he remarked, referring to the visible factionalism within the ruling party.
Ashok further accused the Siddaramaiah camp of indulging in what he called “dinner politics”, alleging that governance had taken a backseat while leaders focused on political manoeuvring. He criticised DK Shivakumar for skipping the Assembly session to visit temples. “When the Assembly session was going on, he should have been working as a public representative. Instead, he was doing temple rounds using taxpayers’ money,” Ashok alleged.
The opposition leader also mocked DK Shivakumar’s recent statement about becoming an “ordinary worker”, questioning the sincerity behind such remarks. “Why say now that you will be an ordinary worker? Is this an attempt to escape responsibility?” he asked.
Referring to recent local body elections in parts of Karnataka, Ashok claimed that the BJP’s strong performance was a clear indication of public dissatisfaction with the Congress government. “The BJP has won more seats wherever elections were held. This clearly shows that the Congress government is losing ground and will fall if this infighting continues,” he predicted.
Ashok also accused senior Congress leader KN Rajanna of exposing internal failures within the party. He cited Rajanna’s alleged letter alleging that DK Shivakumar had failed in the Lok Sabha elections. “Even the Centre does not want your association, and leaders within your own party are writing letters against you,” he said.
