Bengaluru: A routine breakfast meeting between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar snowballed into a political row on Tuesday after the BJP slammed the CM for consuming ‘naatikoli saaru’ (country chicken gravy) on the day of Hanuman Jayanti. 

Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka tore into the Congress leadership, alleging that Siddaramaiah had “hurt the sentiments of Hanuman devotees” by relishing chicken while people across the state were observing fasts and temple rituals.

Ashoka claimed that “drama directives” were coming from the Congress high command, adding, “While devotees wore Hanuma malas and observed fasting, the CM was enjoying chicken at Shivakumar’s residence. Earlier too, he ate meat before visiting Dharmasthala.”

The BJP leader further alleged that the chicken used at the breakfast was slaughtered in Shivakumar’s hometown, Kanakapura, and transported to Bengaluru for the meeting. “I received hundreds of calls expressing anger,” he said, accusing the CM of being indifferent to Hindu sentiment.

He also linked the controversy to governance issues, stating that while Congress leaders were busy hosting breakfast meetings to “patch internal rifts,” the government had failed to address farmer distress, pothole-related deaths, sugarcane pricing issues, and procurement troubles.

“Over 580 people have died due to potholes in 10 months. But the CM finds time for chicken breakfast politics,” Ashoka charged.

Taking a swipe at the power struggle within Congress, Ashoka compared ministers Satish Jarkiholi and G Parameshwara to “wild-card entries” waiting for the Chief Minister’s chair under the Dalit quota. He described the Congress administration as a “reality show.”

He also alleged that the government lacked funds even for crucial infrastructure. “If they had cleared just Rs 12 crore for repairing the Tungabhadra reservoir gates, farmers would have water.

The government has no money for North Karnataka, or for any development,” Ashoka said, vowing to raise the issues in the upcoming Assembly session.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah maintained his schedule and attended the breakfast hosted by Shivakumar, where he was served idlis and natikoli saaru, triggering the controversy.