BENGALURU: Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, on Thursday lambasted the Karnataka government over the poor condition of infrastructure leading to the decision by an IT company to shift from the Outer Ring Road (ORR) area of Bengaluru.
Taking to X on Thursday, Kumaraswamy stated, "The proud city of Bengaluru, built by Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, has suffered a severe blow to its reputation. It is tragic that Bengaluru is now gaining infamy as the 'City of Potholes.'
"Industries are losing faith in Karnataka and migrating to neighbouring states. Those states have been waiting for this very moment, offering one concession after another to attract them. This government cannot even understand the gravity of the situation, its senses have gone numb."
"To the industries, my only appeal is this: Do not leave Bengaluru. This city carries a great legacy and rich heritage. We will teach this government a lesson. We, the people of Karnataka, stand firmly with you. Remove the thought of leaving from your minds: Together, we will rebuild Bengaluru, " Kumaraswamy appealed.
"We will make Bengaluru great again, " he underlined.
"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar are responsible for this disgrace. Today, Bengaluru and Karnataka are trapped in the hands of the incompetent and the corrupt. At every step, there is a death trap of potholes; everywhere one looks, heaps of garbage. Is this what they call Greater Bengaluru? What is BBMP doing swallowing taxpayers’ money while doing nothing?"
He further attacked, "Industrialists are right in calling this an utter failure of governance. You don’t need a mirror to see a festering wound. For the first time in history, industries themselves have so strongly exposed the government’s failures."
When it comes to levying taxes, this government shows rocket speed. But when it comes to filling potholes, it doesn’t even have the speed of a tortoise. It shows utter neglect towards development. State development has been sacrificed at the altar of election guarantees, while Greater Bengaluru is collapsing, Kumaraswamy stated.
"A government that claims it has no funds to fill potholes must answer: Where is the taxpayers’ money going? The people deserve an answer, " Kumaraswamy demanded.