'After growing big...': Karnataka deputy CM Shivakumar on Majumdar-Shaw criticising Bengaluru infra; accuses her of 'forgetting roots'

NEW DELHI: Karnataka deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday responded to repeated criticism about Bengaluru’s infrastructure, saying he welcomes criticism but some people are doing it “too much.”

"I welcome all the criticism, no problem. Because criticism increases the value of democracy. But some are doing it too much and these things won't bother me. People have given us an opportunity and we want to serve them," Shivakumar said, as quoted by PTI.

Addressing industry leaders, he added, "Those who have started businesses here, have grown. After growing big they have forgotten from what stage they have grown into what stage now. If you forget the root, you will not get the fruit. Some have forgotten and are criticising by tweeting."

Shivakumar’s remarks came after former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai and Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw criticised Karnataka’s infrastructure. Shivakumar said Mazumdar-Shaw had a personal agenda, claiming she never raised these issues during the BJP regime.

Mazumdar-Shaw rejected the claim, saying, "Not true. Both T V Mohandas Pai and I have criticised deteriorating infrastructure in our city during previous BJP & JDS Governments. Our agenda is clear. Clean up and restore roads," in a post on X.

Highlighting Bengaluru’s growing population and vehicle numbers, Shivakumar said, "The population in Bengaluru city is 1.40 crore. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy was saying that 3,000 vehicles are getting registered per day. 1.23 crore vehicles are registered in Bengaluru. 70 lakh people come to Bengaluru for jobs, education and other things, some go back. Population is increasing."

He also pointed to the government’s citizen-focused initiative, the "fix my pothole" campaign, allowing residents to report potholes via WhatsApp. "No where in the country, such an opportunity has been given to citizens," he said, reported PTI.

BJP leader and leader of opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka criticised Shivakumar for targeting industry leaders, saying, "Stop this ugly politics, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar. If your Congress government cannot deliver on its promises, at least don't intimidate business leaders and citizens who speak their mind."

He added, "Bengaluru has always stood for innovation, openness, and free thought - not fear and political arrogance. Mr Rahul Gandhi, it's time you ask your leaders in Karnataka to stop this politics of intimidation and start focusing on governance. This is not the culture of Bengaluru. This is not the Karnataka we are proud of."