Karnataka LoP Ashoka calls CM Shivakumar ‘commission agent for lobbies, garbage mafia’
Ashoka rejects CM's 'garbage mafia agent' charge, accuses the govt of corruption in Bengaluru's waste management contracts, and challenges DKS to release the garbage tender probe report
Hitting out at Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka on Friday (June 12) called him "a commission agent for powerful lobbies, contractors, and the garbage mafia".
The BJP leader was responding to Shivakumar's allegation that Ashoka was speaking like an agent of the “garbage mafia”, for accusing the ruling Congress of taking a kickback of Rs 10,000 crore in an alleged "Rs 39,000-crore garbage processing scam" in Bengaluru.
‘Release garbage tender probe report’
The LoP also challenged the CM to release the report of the high-level committee constituted to examine the garbage tender controversy, if he had even a shred of transparency left.
"Mr DK Shivakumar, Yes, I am speaking as an Agent. But unlike you, I am not a commission agent for powerful lobbies, contractors, or the garbage mafia. I am an Agent of the People - the voice of 7.5 crore Kannadigas and 1.5 crore citizens of Bengaluru who are being forced to pay the price for your government's corruption, incompetence, and misgovernance," Ashoka posted on X.
"As Leader of the Opposition, exposing scams, questioning dubious tenders, and holding the government accountable is not a privilege - it is my constitutional duty. I do not need anyone's permission to do that," he said.
Also Read: BJP alleges ‘Rs 39,000-cr scam’ in Bengaluru waste project, Ramky favoured
Stating that he can understand Shivakumar's frustration, Ashoka said, after years of lobbying, pleading, and waiting at the doors of the Congress high command to finally secure the chief minister's chair, it must be disappointing to realise that the people of Karnataka are not willing to grant him even a brief honeymoon period.
"But perhaps you should look within your own party before pointing fingers at the Opposition. When your own MLAs openly express dissatisfaction, rush to Delhi with complaints, and publicly question your leadership, the problem is clearly not the Opposition," he told Shivakumar.
‘Bengaluru drowning in garbage’
The LoP called the CM's claim that the Opposition cannot tolerate the government's transparency and performance is perhaps the "biggest political joke" Karnataka has heard in recent times.
"Transparency? From a government that is sitting on a report submitted by a committee it appointed itself? Performance? Bengaluru is drowning in garbage, infrastructure is collapsing, and taxpayers are watching thousands of crores being handed out through questionable contracts," he said.
Also Read: Will Karnataka’s Chief Minister DK Shivakumar hurt or heal Bengaluru?
Noting that the high-level committee constituted to examine the garbage tender controversy was given a strict one-week deadline, and that deadline has now expired, Ashoka told the CM, "So, I have a simple challenge for you: If you have even a shred of transparency left, release the report immediately. No delays, no excuses. No cover-ups. Place the report before the people of Karnataka and let them decide. Let the truth come out. Let the masks fall. Let Karnataka see who is fighting for the people and who is protecting the garbage mafia."
A government with nothing to hide does not hide reports, he further said, and urged, "Release the report. Face the people. Let the truth speak".
(With agency inputs)