On Monday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader DK Shivakumar launched a sharp criticism against the BJP, accusing the party of playing politics over the water shortage issue in Bengaluru. Shivakumar addressed the BJP’s planned protest against the state government, stating that before protesting, the party should approach the central government to seek permission for the Mahadayi and Mekedaatu projects.
Dismissing claims of water scarcity in Bengaluru, Shivakumar asserted that it was the BJP that had created the perception of scarcity. He emphasized the government’s commitment to providing water to Bengaluru while adhering to legal obligations to Tamil Nadu. The Deputy CM highlighted the challenge of nearly 7,000 borewells facing shortages in the city and ongoing efforts to address the issue.
“7,000 borewells became default out of 16,000 borewells. We are trying all possible ways to provide water to people. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) nodal officers are looking into the matter,” Shivakumar stated. He added that the government has taken action against the water tanker mafia and registered 1,500 tankers to distinguish legal and illegal water providers.
Responding to the BJP’s involvement in politics over the issue, Shivakumar expressed the government’s indifference, stating, “We are not concerned about it.” He emphasized the multi-front efforts to address the crisis, ensuring water supply to Bengaluru residents.
As the nodal minister for Bengaluru, Shivakumar affirmed the government’s commitment to providing water and refuted claims of advising companies to work from home due to water scarcity. He asserted that such severe scarcity hasn’t occurred yet.
On Sunday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also criticized the previous BJP government for neglecting water projects during its tenure from 2008 to 2013. He highlighted the government’s investments in projects to treat wastewater and fill lakes, addressing the water issue in various constituencies. Siddaramaiah underscored the government’s spending on projects such as KC Valley, HN Valley, Anekal, and Hoskote, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to fill lakes and address water scarcity in the state.
