CM will step down before Dec session in Belagavi: Karnataka oppn leader Ashoka

Belagavi: Opposition leader R Ashoka on Wednesday launched a fierce attack on chief minister Siddaramaiah, predicting that he would not remain in office until the next legislative session at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha (SVS) in Belagavi this Dec.
Addressing thousands of workers at the BJP's Janaakrosha Yatre in Belagavi, Ashoka said, "A time bomb of two and a half years was planted. It is on the verge of exploding. Either it will destroy the Congress or Siddaramaiah will be forced to step down."
He alleged that while Siddaramaiah is looting the state to retain his position, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar is looting to claim the chief minister's post. Ashoka also coined a new slogan during his speech: "Looti Looti Siddaramaiah Looti, Koti Koti DK Shivakumar Koti."
Ashoka further claimed that the govt's policies are harming the poor and Dalits, citing increased taxes on essential commodities. "They (Congress leaders) assumed BJP workers would stage protests and go home. But we have gone to the people and exposed the truth. The Congress is now angry and rattled," he said, promising to oppose the govt's ‘anti-people policies'.
In a controversial remark, Ashoka accused the CM of pursuing appeasement politics and trying to create a mini-Pakistan in Karnataka by allegedly projecting an inflated Muslim population in the state. He also insinuated that there may be external influences behind such policies.