Politics Over A Sinking Bengaluru: Congress, BJP Commerce Blame As Metropolis Drowns – News18
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The ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP have been crossing swords, accusing one another of negligence and failure to guard the town and its folks from repeated flooding
Folks try to push out a automotive from a waterlogged street after heavy rains, at Sai structure in Bengaluru, Monday, Might 19, 2025. (PTI Picture)
The political blame recreation over a rain-battered and waterlogged Bengaluru has begun because the IT capital of the nation stays caught between floodwaters and fierce political crossfire. The ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP have been crossing swords, accusing one another of negligence and failure to guard the town and its folks from repeated flooding.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who additionally holds cost of Bengaluru metropolis, triggered controversy by claiming that solely BJP-held constituencies are reeling below floodwaters.
“Such issues have arisen solely in these areas the place there are BJP MLAs. That is proof that they haven’t achieved any work. Congress MLAs have accomplished the works shortly and solved the issues of their constituencies,” he stated throughout his inspection tour of rain-affected areas throughout the town.
Whereas Shivakumar promised a everlasting resolution to the disaster, he additionally hit out on the earlier BJP authorities for its inaction. “The BJP is criticising the issues attributable to rain in Bengaluru. What work was achieved throughout their time on encroachment? Many encroachers have introduced in restraining orders from the courts. Nevertheless, I’ve instructed the officers to clear the encroachments,” he stated.
Based on Shivakumar, out of 211 flood-prone areas, the federal government has managed to scale back the depend to 166. “Forty-four works are pending, of which 24 are already in progress. The variety of areas going through issues is now fewer. The residents of Bengaluru can be protected. Nobody wants to fret. We’re giving a brand new look to the town,” he stated.
However the BJP and JD(S) should not holding again. They’ve accused the Congress of specializing in celebrations whereas the town drowns. BJP leaders have demanded a White Paper on infrastructure spending and sought the quick launch of Rs 1,000 crore for aid efforts.
Chief of the Opposition R. Ashoka slammed the Congress, saying, “Final 12 months, they promised everlasting options after comparable floods. At present, the identical localities are below water. What have they achieved?” he requested.
However the true verbal battle has been between political arch-rivals — Union Minister and JD(S) chief H.D. Kumaraswamy and Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister D.Ok. Shivakumar.
Kumaraswamy took a private swipe at Shivakumar, calling him “nalayak” (incompetent) and blaming him immediately for Bengaluru’s civic mess. Shivakumar hit again, saying Kumaraswamy was a “annoyed man”.
Shivakumar challenged his critics to a public debate: “Name Ashoka (Chief of the Opposition) or anybody from the Opposition. Let’s have a debate in entrance of the media. I’m prepared for a problem.”
The JD(S) ridiculed the ‘Model Bengaluru’ marketing campaign, calling it a “actual estate-driven farce”, and stated the town now not represents “Higher Bengaluru” however somewhat “Looters’ Bengaluru”.
Even because the political drama performs out, Shivakumar stated that motion was being taken even in BJP-held constituencies, together with that of former BJP minister Aravind Limbavali. “He has raised the difficulty of widening the street in his space. I’ve requested officers to doc the land acquisition challenges, and we’ll take this up below catastrophe administration. The BMRDA has issued notifications, and I’ll carry this to the Chief Minister and the Cupboard,” he stated.
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