“Is He a Super CM?” BJP Slams K C Venugopal Over Bengaluru Demolition Remarks, Flags Federal Overreach
The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Congress general secretary K C Venugopal over his remarks on the Bengaluru demolition drive, accusing him of interfering in the state’s administration and undermining federal principles.
BJP Accuses Congress of ‘High Command Theatrics’
Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, said the state “deserves respect, autonomy and honest governance, not high-command theatrics,” asserting that Karnataka is not run by diktats from Delhi.
“Karnataka is not a colony of Rahul Gandhi and his coterie,” Ashoka said, targeting the Congress leadership.
“Who Is K C Venugopal?” Asks R Ashoka
‘Super CM’ Remark Sparks Political Row
Questioning Venugopal’s authority, Ashoka asked whether the Congress leader was acting as a “Super Chief Minister”.
“Who is K C Venugopal to intervene in the administration of Karnataka? Is he a Super CM, or does the Congress high command believe elected state governments function on Delhi diktats?” Ashoka asked.
The BJP leader stressed that Karnataka is governed by a constitutionally elected chief minister and cabinet, not by an All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary.
BJP Flags ‘Blatant Overreach’ and Federalism Concerns
State Autonomy Under Question
Ashoka said expressing a party view is legitimate, but issuing moral sermons or exerting pressure on a state government crosses the line.
According to him, such actions amount to:
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Blatant administrative overreach
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An insult to India’s federal structure
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Undermining the authority of elected state governments
He added that federalism cannot survive if national party leaders attempt to micromanage state governance.
Political Context: Demolition Drive Triggers Fresh Tensions
The controversy erupted following Congress leadership’s comments on the Bengaluru demolition drive, which the BJP claims are being used to politically pressure the state administration. The issue has now escalated into a broader debate on centre-state relations and party high-command control.
Congress Yet to Respond
At the time of filing this report, the Congress had not issued an official response to R Ashoka’s remarks. Political observers expect the exchange to intensify as both parties sharpen their positions ahead of upcoming political battles.
Conclusion
The BJP’s attack on K C Venugopal highlights growing friction between state autonomy and centralised party leadership. With federalism now at the centre of the debate, the Bengaluru demolition issue has evolved into a wider political confrontation between the BJP and Congress.
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