The BJP has criticized Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for allegedly prioritizing the reception of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to Bengaluru. BJP leader R. Ashoka stated that the state's top leaders were in Mysuru to meet Gandhi while Merz was in the city, calling it a "misplaced priority" and a missed opportunity for investment and growth. He accused the Congress government of disregarding the state's interests for "political loyalty" and "high command pleasing."