Bengaluru, Sep 11 (IANS) Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Congress government in Karnataka over the ongoing power crisis, accusing Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Energy Minister K.J. George of pushing the state into darkness.
In a statement posted on X, Ashoka said the government’s only achievement in 100 days is turning a state of light into darkness.
“The only achievement of the DKShi government in 100 days is pushing the state of light into darkness!” he said.
“Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar and Energy Minister K. J. George, amidst the loud publicity of guarantees, the gift you are giving to the people of the state is ‘A Dark Karnataka’!”
Alleging that the government is resorting to 2 to 3 hours of undeclared load shedding daily, citing a shortage of rain, Ashoka said the administration is taking the state back to the Stone Age.
Listing three charges against the government, Ashoka charged firstly that it has betrayed farmers. “In rural areas, there is a 5-6 hour power cut. Pump sets have stopped working due to lack of electricity. You are playing with the lives of farmers without even a shred of mercy, even as the standing crops are drying up before their eyes.”
Secondly, Ashoka pointed out the conspiracy in power purchase. “Without generating full power from the available power units in the state, are you setting the stage to purchase electricity from other states at a high price for commission?” Ashoka questioned.
Thirdly, Ashoka charged, “By cutting 30-40 per cent of power during peak hours from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., you have plunged housewives, traders and students into darkness.”
Ashoka further alleged that the government has ruined the Energy Department and looted the exchequer in the name of schemes.
“Stop making excuses about empty reservoirs and immediately resolve the power shortage, otherwise the people of this state who are in darkness will give your incompetent Congress party a ‘permanent load shedding’,” he said.
The Energy Department and the Congress government are yet to respond to the allegations.
Ashoka further slammed the Congress government and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over the poor maintenance of public toilets in the city, questioning the government’s ‘Brand Bengaluru’ campaign.
Ashoka said that public toilets in the city do not even have money to buy phenyl and bleaching powder.
“No money to buy phenyl, bleaching powder for public toilets! Is this your ‘Brand Bengaluru’?” he asked.
“Chief Minister Shivakumar, Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, the pathetic condition of the South City Corporation (South Zone) might open your eyes to reality outside the world of reels, while you boast about making Brand Bengaluru.”
Alleging that pourakarmikas and toilet maintenance staff have not been paid for months, Ashoka said workers are forced to spend Rs 500 from their own pockets every day to keep toilets running.
“There is no money to buy bleaching powder and phenyl to keep toilets clean in our state capital! The poor toilet maintenance staff who have been working for months have not been paid a single penny. You have created a system where they have to put Rs 500 from their own pocket every day and provide service to the public,” he alleged.
Listing the failures, Ashoka said: “Near hospitals, metro and bus stations, toilet doors and commodes are broken, and hygiene is completely zero.”
“Does your government, which plans to float tenders worth thousands of crores, not have money to pay eligible wages to poor workers?” he questioned.
He demanded that the government first provide basic amenities and release the pending wages of workers.
“Provide at least the basic facilities and release the pending wages of the workers. Otherwise, in the upcoming GBA elections, the people of Bengaluru and the working class will surely teach your corrupt administration a lesson,” he said.
The BBMP South Zone officials and the state government are yet to respond to the allegations.
–IANS
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