‘Bengaluru wouldn’t be flooded if projects worth Rs 1,600 crore were implemented’: BJP leader R Ashoka

BENGALURU: Following the severe waterlogging that disrupted daily life across several parts of Bengaluru, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP), R Ashoka, on Tuesday stated 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. Ashoka further stated that Deputy Chief Minister D K 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.

#WATCH | Rain continues to lash Karnataka’s Bengaluru

Visuals from Cubbon Park pic.twitter.com/EBqjdz6sSb

— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2025

Speaking to the reporters after inspecting the flood situation at Silk Board Junction, BJP leader R Ashoka said, “During the BJP’s tenure, Rs 1,600 crore was allocated for Bengaluru’s development, but the Congress government cancelled those projects. If those projects had been implemented, the city wouldn’t be facing such flooding. The entire city is submerged due to rain, and people are struggling. Five people have died because of the rains. While people are dying, Congress is holding achievement conventions. If the government had any shame, it would have cancelled the convention. These deaths are due to Congress’s failures, and the government lacks the moral authority to hold such events.”

Ashoka accused the Congress government of diverting funds meant for Bengaluru’s development, leading to inadequate infrastructure and flooding issues.

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

(Visuals from Shanti Nagar area and BMTC bus depot) pic.twitter.com/1WxDXCNbLt

— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 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. The meteorological department had warned about heavy rains on April 15, yet BBMP did not hold any precautionary meetings in the past month. Instead, they hurriedly prepared for the convention. Congress leaders claim they filled 14,000 potholes, but now people are digging potholes to shut down the Congress party itself,” Ashoka said.

“During the BJP’s tenure, Rs 7,000 to 8,000 crore was allocated annually for Bengaluru. The Congress government has diverted all funds meant for Bengaluru to build tunnels. The government shows no concern for Bengaluru’s flooding. Greater Bengaluru has turned into Water Bengaluru. The government is bringing misery and deaths to people’s doorsteps”, he accused. (ANI)