Bengaluru: Launching a sharp attack on the state government, Nikhil Kumaraswamy alleged that renaming the BBMP remains the only visible achievement of the Congress administration, while core civic issues in Bengaluru continue to worsen.
Addressing a Janata Dal (Secular) public meeting in Kommaghatta, he remarked that “G stands for garbage, B for bad roads, and A for A-khata scam,” accusing the government of failing to address basic infrastructure and governance concerns in the city. He said Bengaluru residents are being deprived of development, while the administration focuses on superficial changes.
Highlighting past contributions, Nikhil credited former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda for laying the foundation of Bengaluru’s global reputation. He cited key initiatives such as flyovers, tax incentives for the IT-BT sector, and the Cauvery Phase-IV drinking water project as transformative steps that boosted the city’s growth.
He also pointed to the tenure of H. D. Kumaraswamy, stating that several major projects, including the Metro rollout, were initiated during his leadership. In contrast, he alleged that development has slowed under the current Congress government, with companies reportedly shifting to other states due to lack of support and coordination.
Criticising the handling of urban challenges, Nikhil said Bengaluru continues to face severe traffic congestion and deteriorating road conditions. “Potholes are visible everywhere, and even officials admit they are unable to fix them,” he said, adding that incomplete road works and lack of maintenance are putting citizens at risk.
He further alleged irregularities in the implementation of the e-Khata system, claiming that citizens are being forced to pay bribes ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹50,000 even for minor corrections. He also criticised the hike in property tax by 25 percent and proposed increases in water tariffs, accusing the government of burdening residents financially.
Raising concerns over waste management, he said the city continues to struggle with garbage disposal despite repeated promises, questioning the effectiveness of fines imposed on citizens for littering.
On governance issues, Nikhil accused the state government of delaying local body elections, stating that Bruhat Bengaluru elections have not been conducted for over a decade. He said fresh elections are essential to provide opportunities for new leadership and improve accountability at the grassroots level.
Calling upon party workers, he urged them to highlight the developmental work undertaken by Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy among the public and stay connected with citizens. He added that leadership will assess ground-level engagement before finalising candidates for upcoming elections.
The event was attended by senior party leaders, including core committee members, legislators, former ministers, and a large number of party workers, signalling JDS’s efforts to strengthen its organisational base in Bengaluru.
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