Mangaluru: BJP leader and former deputy chief minister R Ashoka claimed Saturday that the mistrust between the ruling partners in Karnataka was growing and it has peaked during the days ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

"This is mostly evident in Mandya where actress Sumalatha Ambareesh is contesting against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamys son Nikhil," Ashoka told reporters here.

The supporters of Congress are openly campaigning for Sumalatha in the segment, he claimed.

"Trouble is brewing in Hassan also where JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowdas grandson Prajwal Revanna is contesting," Ashoka said.

He ridiculed Congress candidate for Dakshina Kannada Mithun Rai visiting temples wearing saffron shawls, saying "Congress is behaving like a drama troupe.