Opposition Leader slams government over tax hikes, pothole-ridden Bengaluru, and stalled projects
Bengaluru
Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led Karnataka government in the Legislative Assembly, accusing it of collecting an additional ₹56,000 crore through new taxes and fees without delivering on development.
Ashoka clarified that the BJP does not oppose the government’s guarantee schemes but insisted that they should not come at the cost of infrastructure. “Even after implementing guarantees, enough money remains. Then why is development not happening?” he asked.
He alleged that essential services are starved of funds—KSRTC is owed ₹1,554 crore, BMTC ₹532 crore—while ₹35,000 crore from SCSP/TSP allocations meant for Dalits was diverted, which he called a violation of law.
Highlighting “25 new taxes in 27 months,” he criticized fees such as ₹15,000 per flat outside RERA, parking charges for cars inside homes, and high rates for e-khatas. “From garbage cess, fuel, milk, water, and vehicle registration alone, thousands of crores are collected. But what development has been achieved?” he asked.
Citing Bengaluru’s crumbling roads, he claimed the city has 1,500 potholes, BMTC bus speeds have fallen to 9 km/h, and skywalks are neglected. “Bengaluru, once a global brand, is now being called ‘floating Bengaluru’,” he said.
Ashoka also criticized mega projects like the ₹1 lakh crore Ettinahole scheme and the ₹17,000 crore tunnel road, calling them wasteful, while describing the e-khata system as “corruption worth ₹10,000 crore.”
Concluding, he said: “We have no issue with guarantees. But without schools, hospitals, and clean water, justice is being denied to the people.”
