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BJP claimed the move was an attempt to please Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, who represents Wayanad in Parliament
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah. (Image: PTI/File)
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday accused Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of “high command appeasement” after a social media post by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) promoted Wayanad in neighbouring Kerala as a tourist destination.
The party claimed the move was an attempt to please Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, who represents Wayanad in Parliament.
The controversy began when KSTDC shared a post on X on Tuesday (October 28) promoting its two-night, three-day tour package to Wayanad. The post read, “Seeking thrill or tranquillity? Find both in Wayanad! Trek scenic trails, chase waterfalls & meet the wild with KSTDC. Your perfect nature escape awaits.”
Reacting sharply, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka accused Siddaramaiah of behaving like “Wayanad’s District Collector and fundraiser.” In a post on X, Ashoka said the Chief Minister had “signed off Rs 10 crore of Karnataka taxpayers’ money to Wayanad at lightning speed,” referring to earlier financial assistance given by the state to the region.
ಸಿಎಂ @siddaramaiah ಅವರೇ,ಕೇರಳದ ಶಾಸಕನಂತೆ, ವಯನಾಡಿನ ಚಂದಾ ವಸೂಲಿಗಾರನಂತೆ ವರ್ತಿಸುವ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಯನ್ನು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಜನತೆ ಇನ್ನೆಷ್ಟು ದಿನ ಸಹಿಸಬೇಕು?
✔️ ಎರಡು ತಿಂಗಳ ಹಿಂದಷ್ಟೇ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ತೆರಿಗೆ ಹಣದಿಂದ ₹10 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂಪಾಯಿಯನ್ನ ವಯನಾಡಿಗೆ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆ ಮಾಡಿದಿರಿ.
✔️ ಕೇರಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಆನೆ ದಾಳಿಗೆ ಮೃತಪಟ್ಟ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯ ಕುಟುಂಬಕ್ಕೆ… https://t.co/kZGo7WYw05
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) October 30, 2025
He also alleged that while Siddaramaiah was quick to aid Wayanad — announcing Rs 15 lakh to the family of a man killed by an elephant and promising to build 100 houses after a landslide — farmers in north Karnataka were still waiting for relief after severe floods. “Farmers are suffering, homes washed away, 12.5 lakh hectares of crop damage, but compensation still stuck in files, surveys, excuses, speeches and photo-ops,” he wrote.
Ashoka further accused the Chief Minister of prioritising the Congress leadership over Karnataka’s interests. “This is not charity. This is High command appeasement to save chair,” he said. “Karnataka doesn’t need a CM who bows to the Fake Gandhi Family, spends our treasury like it’s High Command’s ATM, and forgets his own state’s farmers who put food on his table.”
Former minister CT Ravi also joined the criticism, questioning why KSTDC, which is meant to promote Karnataka’s tourism, was encouraging people to visit Wayanad.
“Does Wayanad belong to Karnataka? Or has KSTDC become Kerala?” he posted, alleging that the Congress government was “pawning the honour of Kannada Nadu to please its party leader Priyanka Gandhi.”
(With inputs from PTI)
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
Karnataka, India, India
October 30, 2025, 16:31 IST
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