BJP Calls Congress's First 100 Days in Karnataka a Period of Chaos

The Opposition BJP on Friday described the Congress government's first 100 days in Karnataka as a period defined by confusion and disorder, and questioned the decision to hold celebrations marking the occasion.

Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok said that while Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had completed 100 days in office, barely three days had been devoted to the State's development. He alleged that the Chief Minister had been visiting temples instead of resolving the confusion within his administration.

Mr. Ashok accused the Chief Minister of acting like a "real estate agent" toward farmers, claiming that attempts were being made to take over land from Lalbagh, Sankey Tank and Hebbal Lake, along with 9,000 acres in Bidadi and 3,000 acres in Anekal. He also said that four months into a drought, no relief had reached affected people.

He further alleged that more than 2,500 farmers had died by suicide since the Congress came to power, and that 12 people had died because of potholes in Bengaluru. He claimed that closing a pothole costs ₹1 lakh, with 75% of the amount allegedly going to Congress leaders.

On other matters, Mr. Ashok said there had been a plan to hand over 5% of park land for real estate development, and that industrialist Gautam Adani had been approached before the government reversed its stance after public opposition. He also said Karnataka had suffered a setback on the Cauvery water-sharing issue, with every court and authority ordering the release of water.

He accused the Congress of renaming schemes introduced during the previous BJP government. Title deeds given to one lakh people had been renamed Land Rights, tractors provided to farmers for ploughing had been given a new name, and Sakala Services had been renamed Praja Seve with a separate department opened for it, he said, adding that the department lacked even the funds to serve tea and coffee.