The Times of India article accurately reports that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) heavily criticized the Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The BJP accused the Congress leaders of prioritizing a meeting with Rahul Gandhi over welcoming a high-profile German dignitary in Bengaluru. This political spat unfolded on January 13, 2026, when Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar reportedly chose to be in Mysuru to receive Rahul Gandhi, who was transiting to Ooty. Simultaneously, Friedrich Merz, a significant German political figure, arrived in Bengaluru for a visit of diplomatic and economic importance. However, a crucial factual inaccuracy present in several related news reports and potentially implied by the original article's 'German C' is the identification of Friedrich Merz as the 'German Chancellor'. Verifiable information confirms that H.E. Mr. Olaf Scholz is the current Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, having visited India in February 2023 and scheduled for another visit in October 2024. Friedrich Merz, while a prominent figure, holds the position of the leader of the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Germany. The BJP's criticism, as reported, hinges on the perceived slight to a 'German Chancellor', making the basis of the accusation partially misleading due to the misidentification of Merz's official title in the reporting. Karnataka Opposition leader R. Ashoka of the BJP, in particular, slammed the CM and DyCM, stating that their actions reflected a 'deep disregard for the state's interests' and prioritised 'political loyalty and high command pleasing' over Karnataka's global standing. The core claim of the BJP's criticism is verified, but the specific title attributed to the visiting German dignitary in the wider news context is factually incorrect. The news highlights a significant political controversy within India, touching upon state leadership, party loyalties, and diplomatic protocol.