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Bengaluru, October 25 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar reacted to BJP’s statement that if it comes to power, it will abolish the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). He said that coming to power is not in the destiny of the party.
He was answering questions from the media at Bharat Nagar Gandhi Park in Herhalli in Yesvantpur constituency of Bengaluru on Saturday.
Shivakumar said: “If they come to power, they can do whatever they want. But it is not written in their destiny that they will come to power and abolish the GBA. This right will continue. If they do not want the GBA, let them boycott the upcoming municipal elections. Let us see if they back out from contesting the elections. Their workers are already preparing to contest the elections.”
Asked about Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya’s opposition to the tunnel road, Shivakumar said: “Anybody can protest anything – I won’t bother. He has gone to court. His intention is that the government should not earn goodwill by doing good work. I am not taking any land for this project.
“Only a small portion of the land has been acquired for the tunnel project; I will review it, and if there is a problem, we will make alternative arrangements. Lalbagh will not be disturbed in any way. We will only use a small portion temporarily during the construction and will return it later.”
When told that Tejasvi Surya had called Lalbagh a heritage site, Shivakumar replied: “The tunnel road will be dug underground – not above ground. We cannot stop the project just because of what he says. If that is the case, then why are they digging and building tunnel roads in Mumbai and Delhi?”
Criticizing Shivakumar, he said, “I will not get into his words. Those who want to protest, let them do so. The criticisms will end; the good work will remain. We are working for the people. What good work has he done for Bengaluru during his tenure? Tejasvi Surya is an empty trunk.”
Asked if the tunnel road is being built only for the benefit of the rich, he replied: “Yes, it is for those who will pay toll and use it. If they don’t want this project, ask them to come up with a plan to solve Bengaluru’s traffic congestion. As the city MP, has he ever even brought Rs 10 special funds from the Prime Minister for the development of the city?
“During his rule, what steps did he take to reduce traffic congestion? Why couldn’t he even issue tenders for garbage collection? Why didn’t he widen roads or construct flyovers? He did nothing for Bengaluru,” he asked.
Shivakumar said, “Dangling cable wires can still be seen all over the city – why didn’t they (BJP) remove them? They joined hands with the mafia and ruined Bengaluru. That’s why people supported our party and sent 140 MLAs to power. We will continue to do our work with commitment. Bengaluru is a global city, and we will do whatever it takes to protect it.”
–IANS
MKA/PGH