Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday appeared to blend administration with politics — issuing tough civic directions while taking a sharp dig at Bengaluru’s BJP MPs, calling Tejasvi Surya “Amavasye Surya”, and accusing the Modi government of “betraying Karnataka.”
The Chief Minister was speaking after performing the groundbreaking ceremony for Gandhinagar constituency’s road white-topping and Chickpet modernization works. Political observers say his fiery address — which targeted BJP and JD(S) leaders — may have unofficially kick-started Congress’ campaign for the upcoming Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections.
From the stage, Siddaramaiah directed Greater Bengaluru Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao to fix the city’s potholes within a week:
“Within one week, all potholes must be repaired, and one layer of tar should be laid,” he instructed.
Siddaramaiah said Bengaluru, as a rapidly growing metropolis, requires sustained investment in infrastructure.
“We are providing massive funds for the modernization and development of Bengaluru’s roads. While 87% of Metro’s cost is borne by the state — meaning the people of Karnataka — the BJP keeps lying that it’s a central project,” he said.
The Chief Minister also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of cheating the people through GST policy, claiming the state lost ₹15,000 crore in revenue due to tax restructuring.
“After looting the people’s money for eight years, the Modi government shamelessly prints advertisements calling it a ‘Diwali Gift’,” he remarked.
Siddaramaiah highlighted that the Congress government has planned ₹1.2 lakh crore worth of developmental works for Bengaluru, without a single rupee of central aid.
“When BJP was in power, not even a single new road was built, nor a pothole repaired. The roads you see today are all built during Congress rule,” he said.
Turning to politics, Siddaramaiah questioned BJP MPs for their silence on Karnataka’s financial injustice:
“Tejasvi Surya — I call him Amavasye Surya. Has he ever spoken for Karnataka’s cause in Parliament? Has P.C. Mohan or Shobha Karandlaje ever raised their voice against the Centre’s betrayal? Tell me what benefit these MPs have brought for you or for the state,” he challenged.
By intertwining civic orders with political attack, Siddaramaiah’s speech signaled a strategic two-layered message — governance urgency and electoral readiness — ahead of the high-stakes GBA polls expected early next year.
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