‘Wayanad’s district collector’: BJP slams K’taka CM Siddaramaiah over KSTDC post promoting Wayanad

Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation’s (KSTDC) social media post promoting Wayanad district in Kerala as a tourist destination has sparked a political row, with the opposition BJP accusing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of favouring Congress leadership over Karnataka’s own interests.

The controversy stems from a post shared on October 28 by KSTDC’s official account on X, advertising a two-night, three-day tour package to Wayanad. The post read: “Seeking thrill or tranquillity? Find both in Wayanad! Trek scenic trails, chase waterfalls & meet the wild with KSTDC. Your perfect nature escape awaits.”

The move drew sharp criticism from Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka, who accused Siddaramaiah of prioritising Wayanad, the parliamentary constituency of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, over Karnataka’s needs.

“How long will Karnataka tolerate a Chief Minister who behaves like Wayanad’s District Collector and fund raiser?” Ashoka wrote on X.

“You (Siddaramaiah) signed off Rs 10 crore of Karnataka taxpayers’ money to Wayanad at lightning speed. You gave away Rs 15 lakh to the family of a man killed by an elephant. You announced to build 100 houses in Wayanad after landslide. You used KSTDC, Karnataka’s own tourism corporation, to promote Wayanad tourism – Priyanka Gandhi’s constituency.”

Pointing to flood damage in north Karnataka, Ashoka said farmers continue to suffer as compensation remains pending.

“NORTH KARNATAKA IS DROWNING. Farmers are suffering. Homes washed away. 12.5 lakh hectares of crop damage.Compensation still stuck in files, surveys, excuses, speeches and photo-ops. Where is the compensation and flood relief crore for Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir, Bidar, Vijayapura, Bagalkot and Belagavi? Where is the urgency? What are your priorities?” the BJP leader asked.

Accusing the Chief Minister of diverting funds for political reasons, Ashoka added, “This is not charity. This is high command appeasement to save chair. Karnataka doesn’t need a CM who bows to the Fake Gandhi Family, spends our treasury like it’s High Command’s ATM, and forgets his own state’s farmers who put food on his table.”

“We elected a Chief Minister of Karnataka, not a Puppet of Delhi, not a Brand Ambassador of Wayanad,” he said, urging the Chief Minister to immediately release compensation for flood-hit farmers.

“Stop looting Karnataka’s money to please the fake Gandhi family. Karnataka First. Not Wayanad First,” Ashoka said.