Bengaluru: Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy slammed the Congress-led Karnataka government on Tuesday for its handling of the recent heavy rains, drawing a sharp comparison between Bengaluru and Venice. Widespread waterlogging and flooding have disrupted the city, forcing many residents to seek refuge in hotels and resulting in significant crop damage.
“The Congress government has turned Bengaluru into the Italian city of Venice, where boats seem more useful than vehicles,” said Kumaraswamy. “People are living in hotels, and farmers are suffering as their crops are destroyed. What was once an effort to transform Bengaluru into Singapore has now become a joke, turning ‘Brand Bengaluru’ into Venice.”
Kumaraswamy also raised concerns over the loss of lives caused by the rain. “Two people lost their lives in Kengeri due to the downpour. Who will take responsibility for this disaster? The government seems more focused on politics than on addressing the hardships of the people,” he added.
In response, Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge acknowledged the challenges posed by the rains but emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure. “Managing a rapidly growing city like Bengaluru always brings challenges, but we have allocated Rs 30,000 crore for its development,” Kharge stated. “A committee, led by the Deputy Chief Minister, has been formed to assess infrastructure gaps in tech hubs and industrial parks. Unlike the previous government, we are taking proactive steps to maintain and strengthen Brand Bengaluru.”
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued an alert for heavy rainfall across South Interior Karnataka and coastal regions from October 23 to 26, warning of further weather disruptions.
