The ongoing heavy rains in Karnataka have wreaked havoc in Bengaluru, turning the city into a flooded landscape. This has sparked a wave of criticism against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s government, with opposition parties accusing the administration of failing to address the city’s infrastructure woes.
The Janata Dal Secular (JDS) took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice its discontent, highlighting a video that has gone viral, showcasing a differently-abled woman falling into a pothole amidst the torrential downpour. This incident, the JDS argues, is a stark reflection of the state’s crumbling infrastructure and the government’s apparent disregard for the safety of its citizens.
The JDS’s tweet read: “Welcome to *Brand Bengaluru*! Where a physically challenged woman falling into a pothole during heavy rains is just another day in paradise. While @siddaramaiah & @DKShivakumar keep patting themselves on the back for their ‘visionary’ governance, the city’s crumbling infrastructure is doing all the talking. BBMP’s mastery in turning roads into death traps is unmatched. *Bravo* on setting new standards of neglect and irresponsibility.”
This sentiment was echoed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also criticizing the government on X, saying, “State of Affairs in Karnataka especially in Bengaluru thanks to Congress. A physically challenged woman recently fell into a pothole in Varthur. Loot, Jhooth & Scoot model of Khata Khat politics has ruined Karnataka infrastructure, law and order and financial situation. Will Siddharamiah & Shivkumar take responsibility?”
The flooding has also caused significant disruption to daily life in Bengaluru, with over 20 flights delayed and four diverted to Chennai on October 21. Schools and anganwadis were closed as a precautionary measure, while higher educational institutions remained open.
While the government has announced plans to compensate for the loss caused by the floods, the opposition parties have been relentless in their criticism, using the situation to highlight perceived failures in infrastructure management and governance. The public, too, seems increasingly frustrated with the state of affairs, with the viral video of the woman falling into a pothole encapsulating a growing sense of unease.
The flooding in Bengaluru serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for robust infrastructure development and effective disaster preparedness in the city. It remains to be seen how the government will address the public’s concerns and implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future.