The Opposition BJP on Monday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of adopting “double standards” over its approach towards industrialist Gautam Adani. Leading a protest inside the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Leader of Opposition R. Ashok alleged that the State government had effectively “surrendered” to the Adani Group while Congress leaders at the national level have repeatedly criticised Adani and linked him to the BJP. The BJP's protest centred on the recently passed Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

Ashok alleged that the legislation had opened the door for the diversion of portions of government park and garden land for projects involving private interests. Under the amendment, up to 5% of park and garden land can be sold, leased, gifted, exchanged or mortgaged for public utility projects. The BJP leader questioned the government's decision and argued that the provision could have implications for the protection of public spaces.

The Adani Group chairman's name was repeatedly raised during the BJP's protest in the Assembly. Ashok accused the Congress government of rolling out a “red carpet” for Adani in Karnataka while Congress leaders in Delhi have portrayed the industrialist as an alleged BJP associate. The Opposition argued that the State government's policies should be examined against the political positions taken by the Congress leadership on business groups and their dealings with governments.

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The BJP's criticism comes amid a broader political confrontation between the ruling Congress and the Opposition over infrastructure, land use and private investment in Karnataka. The Opposition has sought to portray the amendment as evidence of a shift in the State government's approach towards large corporate groups. BJP legislators used the Assembly protest to question the rationale behind allowing portions of park and garden land to be used for public utility projects under the amended legislation.

The Congress government's position on the amendment and the BJP's allegations remains central to the political dispute. The provision itself permits the use of up to 5% of the relevant park and garden land through mechanisms including sale, lease, gift, exchange or mortgage, but the BJP has raised concerns over how the provision could be implemented. The Opposition's accusations specifically focused on the alleged contrast between the Congress's criticism of Adani at the national level and its policies in Karnataka.

The protest added another point of confrontation between the Congress government and the BJP in the Karnataka Assembly. With the amendment now at the centre of the Opposition's criticism, the BJP is expected to continue questioning the government's decision and its potential impact on public land and green spaces. The Congress government, meanwhile, faces pressure to explain the purpose and safeguards surrounding the new provision amid the Opposition's allegations of preferential treatment towards the Adani Group.

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