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Bengaluru (Karnataka), February 19:
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday issued a stern warning to BJP leaders who are allegedly obstructing garbage disposal operations in Bengaluru’s outer zones. He said the state government will stop collecting waste from BJP constituencies if the disruptions continue.
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said that if BJP leaders refuse to allow garbage dumping, then the government will stop garbage collection in those areas.
“If they refuse to allow dumping, then let them keep it. Whoever prevents us from dumping, we will stop collecting garbage in their constituencies. We will not pick up waste from those areas,” Shivakumar said.
He further stated that people would resent such leaders and that the government would make announcements over loudspeakers if needed.
Shivakumar also reacted strongly to reports that BJP MLA Dheeraj Muniraj allegedly stopped a garbage truck in Doddaballapur. He warned that if BJP leaders do not behave respectfully, the government could take strict action and even invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA).
The Deputy Chief Minister alleged that BJP MLAs, including Aravind Limbavali and Dheeraj Muniraju, are deliberately obstructing garbage trucks from disposing of waste in Bengaluru’s outer zones. He claimed the opposition is using the garbage issue to pressure the Congress-led government into releasing development funds for their constituencies.
“They are blackmailing us, demanding development funds for their constituencies,” he said.
On the issue of funds, Shivakumar said the state government has already contributed large amounts such as Rs 100 crore, Rs 50 crore, Rs 20 crore and Rs 30 crore, but questioned how it could provide “thousands of crores” beyond sanctioned grants.
He added that the government is arranging additional dumping sites and currently has two operational sites.
Shivakumar also criticised the Contractors Association for halting work, questioning why they accepted contracts during the previous BJP government without adequate funds.
The garbage disposal issue has now intensified into a major political confrontation in Karnataka, with the Deputy Chief Minister making it clear that the government will not allow essential services like waste collection to be disrupted.
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