Congress Betrayed DMK in Tamil Nadu, INDIA Bloc Must Introspect: BJP Leader R. Ashoka

May 2026 : R. Ashoka, Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, on Wednesday alleged that the Indian National Congress has betrayed its ally Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu and said that other INDIA bloc partners must introspect over the development.

Speaking to reporters at the BJP state office in Bengaluru, Ashoka said Congress, which had contested elections in alliance with DMK, has now abandoned its partner after the polls. He alleged that the “true nature” of the Congress has been exposed and DMK leaders, who trusted the alliance, have been left disappointed.

He said there was an understanding between the parties to come together and form the government after the elections, but the Congress changed its stand once the results were declared.

Ashoka further alleged that the Congress does not follow any consistent ideology and has “stabbed DMK in the back,” adding that the party cannot be trusted as a reliable ally. He cautioned that other INDIA bloc partners should take note of Congress’s conduct, or they may face a similar fate.

He said the incident raises serious questions about the internal unity and trust within the INDIA bloc, especially when major allies are being sidelined after electoral outcomes.

On the Sringeri recount issue, Ashoka said Karnataka Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader has now agreed to administer the oath to BJP MLA D.N. Jeevaraj after the matter was taken to the Governor. He said once a candidate’s name is published in the official gazette and certified by the Election Commission, the oath must be administered without delay.

He added that either the Governor or a person authorised by him can conduct the swearing-in process, and welcomed the Speaker’s decision to proceed after accepting the electoral outcome.

Criticising Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Ashoka said that if the Chief Minister believed there was any irregularity, he should have approached the court earlier instead of making political statements.

He also accused the Congress of maintaining contradictory positions on the Election Commission and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), saying the party accepts results when it wins but questions the same system when it loses.

Ashoka further criticised Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, alleging that he makes inconsistent statements on EVMs across different states. He said political leaders must act responsibly and avoid undermining public trust in democratic institutions.

He concluded that repeated contradictions from the Congress reflect confusion within the party and could weaken the credibility of opposition politics if not addressed.