Criticising the State administration, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok alleged on Monday that the drug mafia has thrived under the government led by the Congress.
Speaking to press persons in Kaup, near Udupi, Mr. Ashok said that the Maharashtra police conducted raids in Bengaluru and seized drugs worth crores of rupees recently. “Why has our intelligence system failed to detect this? Is there a bigger insult than this?” he asked.
Mr. Ashok said if the State government failed to curb drug peddling any further, the upcoming New Year celebrations would turn into “drug celebrations”. Contrary to Home Minister G. Parameshwara’s repeated assurances to curb growing drug peddling, the reality reveals otherwise, he said.
The Leader of the Opposition alleged that drug peddlers lodged in jails in cities such as Mangaluru and Bengaluru are enjoying “five-star hotel facilities”. “Jails have become wine factories as inmates are getting them in enough quantity. Jails have also turned out as centres for illegal money collection,” he alleged.
He further added that the government is paralysed due to the internal struggles in the Congress. “As Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is preoccupied with leadership issues, the State is being managed by outsiders,” he alleged, stating that some “outside leaders” are interfering in the State’s governance.
On alliance politics, Mr. Ashok said the BJP and JD(S) remain strong partners within the NDA. A decision on seat sharing for the upcoming elections to the urban local bodies and zilla and taluk panchayats will be taken by senior leaders, including JD(S) leaders H. D. Deve Gowda and H. D. Kumaraswamy, as well as the BJP’s central leadership.
Election may be declared in the State at any time, he said.
Published – December 29, 2025 07:06 pm IST
