Bengaluru, September 11 (Daily Kiran) : Senior BJP leader and opposition head R. Ashok launched a fierce attack on the Congress government in Karnataka regarding the ongoing power crisis. Speaking on September 11, he accused Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Energy Minister K.J. George of plunging the state into darkness.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Ashok stated that the sole achievement of the government in its first 100 days has been to turn the state from light to darkness. He remarked, “The only achievement of the D.K. Shivakumar government in 100 days is pushing the state into darkness! While you promote energy guarantees, the gift to the people is ‘Dark Karnataka’!”
Ashok claimed the government is implementing unannounced power cuts of 2 to 3 hours daily, citing a lack of rainfall as the reason. He warned that the administration is dragging the state back to the Stone Age.
He also alleged that the government has betrayed farmers, who are experiencing power cuts of 5 to 6 hours in rural areas. The power outages prevent pump sets from functioning, jeopardizing crops that are wilting before the farmers’ eyes. Ashok questioned whether the government planned to buy expensive electricity from other states instead of utilizing the full capacity of existing power units.
Moreover, he pointed out that during peak hours from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM, there has been a 30-40% reduction in power supply, leaving homemakers, business owners, and students in the dark. He accused the government of mismanaging the energy department and looting the treasury under the guise of various schemes.
“Stop making excuses about empty reservoirs and immediately address the power shortage, or the people living in darkness will teach your ineffective Congress party a lesson with ‘permanent load shedding’,” Ashok warned.
So far, the Energy Department and the Congress government have not responded to these allegations.
In addition to the power crisis, Ashok criticized the Congress government and Chief Minister Shivakumar for the poor maintenance of public toilets. He questioned the effectiveness of the government’s ‘Brand Bengaluru’ campaign, stating, “You don’t have money to buy phenyl and bleaching powder for public toilets! Is this your ‘Brand Bengaluru’?”
He further noted the dire condition of the South City Corporation, suggesting that Shivakumar and Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda should step out of their bubble and witness the reality.
Ashok highlighted the lack of funds for maintaining toilets in the capital, stating that workers responsible for cleaning have not received any compensation. He emphasized that these workers are forced to spend their own money daily to provide services.
Pointing out various deficiencies, he mentioned broken doors and commodes at hospitals, metro stations, and bus stops, with no sign of cleanliness. He questioned how a government planning to issue tenders worth thousands of crores could claim there is no money to pay workers their rightful wages. He urged the government to prioritize basic amenities and settle outstanding wages for laborers.
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