Basavaraj Bommai Criticises Congress, Says Leadership Depends on Gandhi Family’s Approval
Former Karnataka CM claims internal power struggles and family influence decide leadership in Congress.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai has launched a sharp attack on the Congress party, alleging that its top leadership structure is controlled by the Gandhi family and lacks internal democracy.
Speaking to reporters in Gadag, Bommai said that in the Congress, anyone who manages to gain the confidence of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi ultimately becomes the Chief Minister. He described this situation as damaging to democratic values.
He also pointed to growing tensions within the Karnataka Congress, saying that leaders are currently engaged in a struggle for power and ministerial positions. According to him, both experienced and newly elected legislators are competing for cabinet roles, while the Chief Minister is trying to maintain his position amid internal pressure.
Bommai further said that senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge deserves better recognition and suggested that Kharge should have been considered for the Chief Minister’s post in a fair manner.
Commenting on the state leadership, he remarked that Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar act in a manner similar to a central command within the party, which he linked to influence from the Gandhi family. He argued that this reflects a lack of internal democracy and reinforces the idea of a family driven political structure.
Bommai also alleged that governance in Karnataka is suffering due to internal conflicts within the ruling party. He claimed that administrative work has slowed down significantly and accused the government of failing to implement development projects effectively.
He pointed to what he described as unutilised budget allocations, saying that thousands of crores sanctioned in recent state budgets have not been spent. He argued that ongoing disagreements between top leaders are affecting decision making and preventing officials from functioning effectively.
According to him, the situation has created administrative paralysis in the state, with conflicting statements from leaders leading to confusion and delays in governance.