Karnataka’s Congress Faces Backlash Over Chancellor Merz’s Snubbed Visit
The recent visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Karnataka has sparked political controversy. Opposition leader R Ashoka accused the state’s Congress government of neglecting the high-profile trip in favor of domestic political events. He claimed the move damaged Karnataka’s global reputation and missed key economic opportunities.
On January 13, 2026, Chancellor Merz arrived in Bengaluru as part of his official tour. His schedule included visits to Bosch India’s headquarters in Adugodi and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science. Guruprasad Mudlapur, President of Bosch India and Managing Director of Bosch Limited, personally welcomed the delegation at the Bosch facility.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar were absent from Merz’s engagements. Siddaramaiah later explained his presence in Mysuru, stating he had greeted Rahul Gandhi, who was passing through on his way to Ooty. BJP’s R Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition, criticized the Congress leadership for prioritizing local politics over international diplomacy. He argued that any responsible Chief Minister should have personally welcomed Merz to boost investment, industry, and job creation in Karnataka. Ashoka further alleged that political considerations had overshadowed the state’s global standing during the Chancellor’s visit.
The dispute highlights tensions between Karnataka’s ruling party and the opposition over diplomatic priorities. Merz’s visit included key industrial and academic engagements, but the absence of top state officials drew sharp criticism. The incident raises questions about how future high-level visits will be managed by the government.
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