The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized the Congress government in Bengaluru. They have accused the government of financial mismanagement and administrative failures, particularly in handling the ongoing protest by Transport Department staff and the garbage crisis in the city. Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, R. Ashoka, highlighted that the transport corporation employees have been on strike due to pending arrears for 38 months.
Ashoka pointed out that the government, under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, has failed to address the demands of the transport employees adequately. He criticized the government for delaying the release of funds and accused them of only responding to protests rather than proactively managing the situation. Ashoka also challenged the Transport Minister to disclose details of liabilities inherited from the previous government.
The BJP leader emphasized that the current government has transformed a profit-making transport institution into a loss-making one. He criticized the government’s excuses related to the Covid-19 pandemic, stating that blaming losses solely on the pandemic was unjustified. Ashoka warned of further repercussions, mentioning that other associations, such as the Contractors’ Association, were also gearing up for protests over pending payments.
