DKS blames ‘misrule’ by erstwhile BJP govt. for Bengaluru’s potholes

Launching a counter-attack on Opposition BJP that staged a protest against the alleged failure of the government in ensuring pothole-free roads in Bengaluru, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday blamed the previous BJP dispensation’s “misrule” for potholes in the city.

Stating that the process of filling up potholes had been taken up on a war footing supported by grant to the tune of ₹750 crore in Bengaluru, Mr. Shivakumar, who is also the KPCC president, announced that the Congress workers would stage a protest against all the BJP-ruled corporations in the State including Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporations against bad roads in their jurisdiction.

“We are committed to fixing the pothole issue in Bengaluru. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has released a grant of ₹750 crore for this purpose,” he told media persons in Bengaluru.

Responding to the BJP’s protest against potholes in Bengaluru, he said, “It is true that there are potholes in Bengaluru and we are filling them up on a war footing. We have also requested the police and the public to inform us about the location of potholes. We are gripped by such a situaition due to the misrule of the previous BJP government. The protesting BJP leaders must understand that the Centre has not given any funds for Bengaluru’s development in spite of the city’s high tax contributions.”

Asked if he would discuss the issue of potholes with industrialists, he said, “They are our friends, but they also must realise their responsibilities.”

BJP takes exception

Taking exception to the allegations, BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra said the Congress government should try to live in the present and should protect the image of Bengaluru by fixing potholes instead of blaming the previous regime.

He alleged that the government had failed to ensure pothole-free roads not just in Bengaluru, but other cities of the State too.

Accusing the government of failing to meet its own deadlines on filling up potholes, he said the government should focus on its responsibility.