Bengaluru, Sep 11 (PTI) Karnataka BJP leader R Ashoka on Friday hit out at the Chief Minister D K Shivakumar-led government, alleging that it had failed to deliver on development and had little to show as an achievement after completing 100 days in office.
The Leader of Opposition in the state legislative assembly alleged that Shivakumar appeared to people more like a “real estate agent” and claimed the government had spent more time on publicity than on development.
“There has been no development under this government, yet they are celebrating a 100-day achievement,” Ashoka said.
Speaking to reporters, he alleged that the Congress government had become “a nest of confusion” and claimed the chief minister had been visiting temples in an effort to resolve the problems facing the administration.
The government, led by Chief Minister Shivakumar, completed 100 days in office on Thursday.
The LoP also accused the government of “failing” to provide adequate drought relief to farmers and claimed that more than 2,500 farmers had died by suicide since the Congress government came to power.
He alleged that 12 people had died due to potholes in Bengaluru and claimed that funds meant for repairing roads were being misused.
On the government’s handling of Bengaluru’s civic issues, Ashoka alleged that several initiatives announced by the chief minister had not been implemented.
He also criticised the Congress government’s handling of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme (providing Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family), alleging that the promised funds had not reached beneficiaries.
“They call stealing women’s money an achievement,” he alleged.
According to the BJP leader, the government’s “Brand Bengaluru” initiative had failed to produce results and garbage remained uncleared in several parts of the city.
Criticising the government over the increase in garbage collection charges, he alleged that the amount paid by flat owners had increased substantially.
He described the government’s record as “zero in achievement, No. 1 in publicity”.
Ashoka also alleged irregularities in recruitment through the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) and demanded that the matter be handed over to the CBI for investigation.
Ashoka accused the Congress government of renaming schemes introduced during the previous BJP regime and presenting them as its own initiatives.
He claimed that title deeds issued to beneficiaries during the BJP government’s tenure were now being presented under a new name and alleged that other programmes, including those relating to farmers and citizen services, had similarly been renamed.
“Congress is now naming schemes that were implemented during the BJP tenure. In our period, title deeds were given to one lakh people; they have now called the same thing “land rights.” During the BJP period tractors were given to farmers for ploughing; now a new name has been given to that. Sakala Seve has been renamed Praja Seve and a department opened for it — they don’t even have money to serve tea and coffee there,” he said.
On the Enforcement Directorate’s action against PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, who is from the ST community, Ashoka said investigations should not be portrayed as attacks on particular communities.
He argued that action by investigative agencies should be viewed on the basis of individual allegations and not caste identity.
Ashoka also criticised the government over the delay in implementing the Mekedatu project. PTI KSU ROH
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