‘Siddaramaiah behaving like Wayanad district collector’: Why KSTDC tourism promo post left BJP fuming
The Karnataka BJP has launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after the state tourism department shared a post on social media, promoting tourism in Wayanad in neighbouring Kerala.
Wayanad is the Lok Sabha constituency of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
The saffron party accused the chief minister of acting like the district collector and 'fundraiser' of Wayanad.
The controversy began after the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) posted on X on October 28, announcing a two-night, three-day tour package to the Kerala hill station.
" Seeking thrill or tranquillity? Find both in Wayanad! Trek scenic trails, chase waterfalls & meet the wild with KSTDC. Your perfect nature escape awaits,” the post said.
Reacting to this, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, R. Ashoka, asked Siddaramaiah how long Karnataka would tolerate a chief minister who behaved like "Wayanad's District Collector and fund raiser"?
"You (Siddaramaiah) signed off Rs 10 crore of Karnataka taxpayers' money to Wayanad at lightning speed. You gave away Rs 15 lakhs to the family of a man killed by an elephant. You announced to build 100 houses in Wayanad after the landslide. You used KSTDC, Karnataka's own tourism corporation, to promote Wayanad tourism - Priyanka Gandhi's constituency," he posted on 'X' on Thursday.
Ashoka alleged that the farmers in north Karnataka, where 12.5 lakh hectares of crop damage have been reported in the recent flood, are still waiting to receive their compensation.
“Where is the compensation and flood relief for Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir, Bidar, Vijayapura, Bagalkot and Belagavi districts in Karnataka?,” he asked.
"We elected a Chief Minister of Karnataka, not a Puppet of Delhi, not a Brand Ambassador of Wayanad," said the BJP leader.
C.T. Ravi, another BJP leader and former minister, said that the KSTDC, which is supposed to develop tourism in Karnataka, is inviting Kannadigas to Wayanad.
"Does Wayanad belong to Karnataka? Or has KSTDC become Kerala?," he asked.
Ravi also alleged that the Congress government is going to pawn the honour of Kannada Nadu to please its party leader, Priyanka Gandhi.
India