JD(S) Ramps Up Criticism of Congress Government Ahead of Crucial Bengaluru Elections
With the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections on the horizon, senior leaders of the Janata Dal (Secular) have launched a vigorous offensive against the ruling Congress government in Karnataka. The party's state president and Union Minister, HD Kumaraswamy, has appealed for a decisive mandate, vowing to liberate both the state and its capital city from what he describes as a pervasive "current stagnation."
Kumaraswamy's Vision for Bengaluru's Future
Addressing a gathering of party workers at Kommaghatta near Kengeri during the JD(S) silver jubilee convention on Saturday, Kumaraswamy made a compelling case for his leadership. "Grant us one opportunity under my guidance, and I will emancipate the state and Bengaluru from the existing stagnation," he declared emphatically. Reflecting on his previous tenures, he noted, "I have led coalition governments on two occasions, but the constraints of alliance politics significantly hampered my capacity to govern with full effectiveness."
He strongly countered the perception that JD(S) is solely a rural-centric party. "The Janata Dal (Secular) is not merely a party for rural areas; we are equally committed to addressing the needs of urban centers, including Bengaluru," Kumaraswamy asserted, broadening the party's appeal ahead of the urban polls.
Infrastructure Promises and Accusations of Delays
Positioning himself as a pioneer of Bengaluru's infrastructure development, Kumaraswamy claimed that many key projects currently under discussion were originally conceived during his tenure nearly fifteen years ago. "I had initiated plans for the construction of multiple flyovers and tunnel roads across Bengaluru. The Peripheral Ring Road project was also meticulously planned with an estimated budget of Rs 3,000 crore," he recounted.
However, he expressed frustration over the subsequent delays. "Regrettably, successive governments have failed to bring these projects to fruition. Now, the state government has begun discussing tunnel roads again, but it appears unlikely that these plans will materialize in the near future," Kumaraswamy criticized, urging the residents of Bengaluru to support JD(S) to ensure the city's comprehensive development.
Recalling his administrative achievements, he also highlighted his focus on expanding the Metro network and widening more than 56 major roads during his time in office.
Allegations Against the Congress Government
Kumaraswamy did not hold back in his accusations against the Congress administration. He charged the government with demolishing houses in Kogilu and Thanisandra and exploiting these incidents for political advantage. "The Congress government has resorted to destroying homes and then capitalizing on the ensuing distress for electoral gains," he alleged, rallying his party workers to counter such tactics.
He instructed party members to dedicate at least one hour daily to strengthening the party's presence at the grassroots level, while assuring them that decisions regarding alliances would be handled by the top leadership.
Deve Gowda's Scathing Critique and Call for Unity
Adding to the party's offensive, JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, aged 93, launched a blistering attack on the state government, labeling it the "worst ever" and predicting its collapse within two years. "This administration may not survive beyond another two years," he forecasted, directing his remarks toward Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Deve Gowda urged Siddaramaiah to draw lessons from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "Modi extended an invitation for us to join forces, and I consented after we encountered repeated setbacks while aligned with the Congress. Today, Kumaraswamy has been afforded the opportunity to serve as a Union minister," he stated, highlighting the party's strategic shift.
He concluded with a rallying cry for party cohesion, calling on all workers to unite firmly behind Kumaraswamy's leadership as the elections approach, emphasizing the critical need for a consolidated effort to secure victory in the upcoming Greater Bengaluru Authority polls.
