Mandya: Amid ongoing speculation over HD Kumaraswamy being projected as the NDA’s chief ministerial candidate for 2028, opposition leader R Ashoka stated that the next govt in Karnataka will be led by the BJP, dismissing concerns over leadership within the alliance.Speaking at Adichunchanagiri, Ashoka emphasised that while the JD(S) remains an important NDA ally, and has been accommodated in parliamentary seat-sharing, the 2028 govt will “undoubtedly” be under BJP leadership. He reiterated that forming a BJP-led govt is a certainty, shifting attention away from individual chief ministerial aspirants. On the question of leadership, Ashoka acknowledged that there are multiple contenders within the BJP for the top post. “Including me, there are at least 10 aspirants for the chief minister’s position,” he said, adding he could become CM with the blessings of PM Narendra Modi and Home minister Amit Shah.However, he clarified that the final decision rests with the party’s high command. “Our focus is not on who becomes chief minister, but on bringing NDA to power by removing the current govt,” he added.Taking a swipe at the ruling Congress, Ashoka described the ongoing discussions about a leadership change as “expired medicine”. He alleged that DCM DK Shivakumar recently visited AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge to lobby for the CM post, indicating internal discord. He further claimed that the Congress govt has been largely ineffective over the past two years due to factional infighting. Pointing to what he termed a breakdown of discipline, Ashoka said 30-40 MLAs are bypassing state leadership and directly approaching Delhi, suggesting weakening control of the party high command.Ashoka described Congress as a “party of quarrels”, accusing its leaders of prioritising positions over governance. He said the govt has “lost its vitality” in the eyes of people, reinforcing the BJP’s assertion that a political shift in 2028 is inevitable.
