Bengaluru, Feb 07 : The political confrontation between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensified in Karnataka as both sides traded accusations over the use of Mahatma Gandhi’s imagery in advertisements linked to the repeal of MGNREGA and the rollout of the VB-G RAM G Act.
The controversy began during a special legislative session when the Opposition protested against newspaper advertisements issued by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department. The ads criticised the new legislation while featuring a caricature of Gandhi, triggering sharp reactions.
The dispute has deepened after fresh advertisements surfaced showing the Father of the Nation raising his walking stick. Congress leaders argue that the depiction misrepresents Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and could mislead the public.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka, however, rejected the criticism, asserting that the BJP had not used government funds for advertisements as alleged against the Congress. He further accused the ruling party of acting contrary to Gandhian values by permitting more liquor outlets and opposing legislation related to cow slaughter. Ashoka also questioned why welfare schemes were not named after Gandhi, claiming they were instead dedicated to leaders such as Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad countered that portraying Gandhi as attempting to strike Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge amounted to an insult to his enduring message of peace. The row has added another layer of tension to the ongoing debate surrounding rural welfare policies in the state.