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One controversy has to do with the inauguration of a helicopter assembly unit in Kolar district while the other is all about scrutiny over CM Siddaramaiah’s chopper rides
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah (L) allegedly used the chopper for a 50-minute car ride; Kolar MLA Kothur Manjunath has sparked a row after he expressed his disappointment over receiving an email invite to the inauguration of a helicopter assembly unit in his district, which was presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. (Image: PTI/File)
Karnataka and helicopters: that’s it. That’s the news. But it would be far too easy to club two separate issues, which have caused a political tug-of-war in the Congress-ruled state even though there is at least one common factor in both – the mighty chopper.
The first has to do with a massive controversy over the inauguration of a helicopter assembly unit in Kolar district and the other is all about scrutiny over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s chopper rides.
CONGRESS VERSUS JD(S), BJP IN KOLAR
Congress MLA from Kolar, Kothur Manjunath has sparked a row over “protocol lapse” after he expressed his disappointment over receiving an email invite to the inauguration of a helicopter assembly unit in his district, which was presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Kothur Manjunath, however, went a step ahead and called for a power cut to the helicopter unit, in protest against what he called “inadequate employment” to local residents by Tata Advanced Systems.
“They have taken our land but are not giving jobs to our people, nor allowing them inside. Let us see if they understand the power of elected representatives,” Majunath told reporters at the panchayat office in Vemagal.
Manjunath alleged protocol violations, saying local elected representatives were not invited to the inauguration of the helicopter assembly unit at the Vemagal Industrial Area, where the facility was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on February 17. He alleged that MLAs, MLCs and members of the Vemagal town panchayat were ignored and not invited to the event, terming it a serious lapse in protocol.
He expressed strong displeasure over what he described as the sidelining of local representatives despite the project being set up on land in the region. In what sounded like threats, he called for the electricity connection to the helicopter unit to be cut, or a trench to be dug up in front of the factory gates and said a tractor could be rammed into the pole that supplies power to the facility.
That was not all, the Congress MLA alleged that while the land was locally acquired, the residents did not get adequate employment and were being offered the jobs of guards while “outsiders” snatched away better posts.
Reacting to him, JD(S) leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy said his remarks are provocative and MLAs need to support industrial growth in Karnataka.
“It’s better if the Congress MLA supports this project brought by the Union government instead of talking about who was not invited, who was invited, etc,” Kumaraswamy said.
Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra called him out for issuing “threats” as a public representative in a democratic system.
“I think he has forgotten that we live in a democratic system, threatening like this will not help him. As a public representative he should talk with more responsibility,” Vijayendra said.
‘SIDDARAMAIAH JUST WANTS TO FLY’
The BJP turned Siddaramaiah’s chopper rides into a political issue and alleged that he was not worried about the burden on the exchequer.
The BJP alleged that while there have been fund cuts for the SC/ST corporation, the chief minister’s chopper rides have continued even over a distance of 40 km to 50 km.
He reportedly took a 50 km ride from Bengaluru to Chikaballapura for ‘MNREGA Bachao’ event, raising questions over his need to use the chopper for a 50-minute travel when he already has “zero traffic” privileges on the road.
The BJP alleged that he is not worried about the burden on the exchequer, and just wants to fly. He is reportedly known for his alleged excessive use of special flights, aircraft and helicopters, having spent Rs 47 crore between May 2023 and November 2025 over such trips.
In the last two years, the BJP alleged, the CM has spent more than Rs 5 crore to fly from Bengaluru to his hometown of Mysuru even though the two cities are only two hours apart by road.
Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, leader of opposition in legislative council, said Chikkaballapur is only 48 km from Bengaluru and takes an hour of road travel.
“CM has all the security. Even then he is using the chopper…Karnataka people are suffering from so many problems, nothing is being improved…there is no money. Even when he is travelling to Mysuru, which is his constituency, yet he takes a chopper or private flight to go there also. He wants to take full advantage of his power… he does not bother about the burden on the exchequer,” Narayanaswamy said.
Siddaramaiah and the Congress have not yet responded to the allegations.
February 23, 2026, 16:52 IST
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