‘We’ve to clear dirt left by BJP in Bengaluru, it will take time’: Congress leader BK Hariprasad

BENGALURU: Senior Congress leader B K Hariprasad on Wednesday said that the BJP, during its tenure in Karnataka, focused more on communal politics than on the development of Bengaluru. He said the present Congress government is working to clean up the “dirt” left behind by the previous administration, but added that the process will take time.

Hariprasad said, “When the BJP was in power, instead of concentrating on the development of Bengaluru city, they were busy with the communal agenda. We have to clear the dirt that they have left in Bengaluru, and it will take a little time”.

#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Congress leader BK Hariprasad says, “When the BJP was in power, instead of concentrating on the development of Bengaluru city, they were busy with the communal agenda…We have to clear the dirt that they have left in Bengaluru and it will take a… pic.twitter.com/ILSi8C1NwZ

— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2025

On Tuesday, Leader of Opposition (LoP) R Ashoka, said that if Rs 1,600 crore worth of projects had been carried out, Bengaluru wouldn’t be in this state. BJP leaders are criticising the Congress-led Karnataka government over its handling of the situation. R Ashoka demanded that the government explain what it has done for Bengaluru in the past two years.

He further stated that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar visited Sai Layout and promised development, but no funds have been released for it. Flooding occurred at Silk Board last time as well, yet no development funds have been allocated. Ashoka accused the Congress government of diverting funds meant for Bengaluru’s development, leading to inadequate infrastructure and flooding issues.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Severe waterlogging witnessed in parts of Bengaluru city following heavy rainfall.

(Visuals from Sai Layout area) pic.twitter.com/FdzWDuoZPU

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2025

“During the BJP’s tenure, Rs 1,600 crore was provided for stormwater drains and road development, but Congress cancelled those projects. If those works had proceeded, such flooding wouldn’t have occurred. Instead of allocating funds for Bengaluru’s progress, the money has been misused for other purposes. All funds have been diverted to the tunnel road project, and now every road in the city has become a tunnel, he alleged. The government had promised to install sensors in flood-prone areas, but no work has been done,” he added.

#WATCH | Delhi | Union Minister Pralhad Joshi says, “…There has been a Valmiki scam, MUDA scam, scam in the labour department…They (the Karnataka government) don’t have the money to fill the potholes. The state government is doing no development work. What are they… pic.twitter.com/IXfm1qmF9u

— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2025

Similarly, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi questioned the Karnataka government on what they were celebrating when they were unable to manage the havoc created in Bengaluru due to the heavy rains. (ANI)