Bengaluru, May 21 (UNI) In a blistering attack on the Karnataka government, Assembly LoP and senior BJP leader R Ashoka on Wednesday questioned the Congress’ decision to celebrate two years in power, calling it an "extravaganza built on failure, debt, and betrayal."
"What are they celebrating?” Ashoka asked pointedly. “Two years of zero development, more corruption, and endless burdens on the common man. The Congress government has done nothing except push Karnataka into over one lakh crore rupees of debt." he told reporters in a press conference here.
The BJP leader accused the Congress of wasting taxpayer money on lavish events while key sectors and public welfare suffered.
He said the government’s performance over the past two years had been marked by inaction on development, rising living costs, and a series of unresolved scams and controversies.
Ashoka listed a series of scandals that have rocked the state under Congress rule, including the Valmiki Corporation loan scam and irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
"There has been no accountability in the Valmiki scam. The MUDA land scam has exposed how deep corruption runs in urban development. And in the Neha Hiremath case, the government’s silence is deeply disturbing," he said.
He also criticised the state government over what he called “vote-bank policies,” referring to the reported 4 per cent quota for minority (Muslim) contractors for taking government projects. “Is this inclusive governance or appeasement? The public can see through such tactics," he said.
Highlighting what he termed the Congress government’s “insensitivity” to the public’s economic pain, Ashoka listed a series of price hikes and new taxes imposed during its tenure.
“Milk prices have been hiked, diesel is costlier, metro and bus fares have gone up, smart meter charges are being pushed on consumers, duty taxes are being increased, and fresh levies have been introduced — all this while people struggle with rising inflation," he said.
Ashoka also pointed to Bengaluru’s crumbling civic infrastructure, citing waterlogging during incessant rains and deaths, especially in Bengaluru. "Even basic services have collapsed, and yet they celebrate,” he remarked.
Calling the celebration “disheartening” and “an insult to the people’s suffering,” Ashoka said the government had failed on both performance and integrity. “This is not governance. This is a betrayal of the people of Karnataka,” he concluded.
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