In the opposition vs NDA row, both alliance groups did not miss any chance to target one another since yesterday, when the NDA held a meeting against the opposition union in Delhi, while down south in Bengaluru, the opposition formed INDIA – Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance, setting the tone of their 2024 Lok Sabha campaign against the ruling government. Attacking the opposition, BJP and JDS questioned the propriety of asking officers to serve leaders attending a political event. After this, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the assignments were according to the protocol.26 opposition parties, including Congress, attended the two-day brain-storming session in Bengaluru to prepare themself to fight against BJP and its alliance in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.CM Siddaramaiahs response to BJP. JDS allegationsThe senior officials were assigned only to welcome the visiting dignitaries, the chief minister said.“As the Chief Ministers of various states and former Union Ministers who arrived in Bengaluru were considered as state guests and according to protocol, officials were assigned only to welcome all those visiting dignitaries,” Siddaramaiah said.BJP, JDS questions on IAS officers duty at opposition meetOn Tuesday, JDS and BJP came down heavily on the Karnataka government, questioning the propriety of asking IAS officers to serve leaders attending a political event.Taking a swipe at the state government, JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy said, “This is neither a state government program nor the swearing-in of a new govt. It is just a political meeting. Debuting responsible officers to host its alliance political leaders is a grave injustice done to 6.5 crore Kannadigas and a great insult to the state.”“This is a clear violation of All India Services (Conduct) Rules. I was surprised and shocked that officials agreed to do this job knowing that it would dent their self-respect and honour,” he added.No violation of protocol: Karnataka CMResponding to the allegations, the chief minister said that this move has been practised in the past and there is no violation of protocol.“The officials were assigned only to welcome dignitaries and they were not used for political programs,” Siddaramaiah reiterated.
