Responding to continued criticism from some industry leaders over Bengaluru’s infrastructure issues, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said he welcomes criticism, but some people are going too far. However, he stressed that he will not be distracted by such things and the government is taking steps to solve these problems.
Karnataka government is being criticized
DK Shivakumar is also the minister in-charge of Bengaluru development affairs. He said that people have given a chance to the Congress government and it wants to serve them. The state government has been facing criticism for some time now regarding the poor condition of roads and traffic in the city. Industry leaders like former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai and Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw have been repeatedly openly urging the state government to intervene immediately.
Deputy CM Shivakumar said on Sunday (19 October 2025), “The population of Bengaluru city is 1.40 crore. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy was saying that 3,000 vehicles were being registered every day. There are 1.23 crore vehicles registered in Bengaluru. 70 lakh people come to Bengaluru for jobs, education and other things, some of whom go back. The population is increasing.
‘Some people have forgotten their roots’
Addressing the gathering, he said, “Those who have started business here have progressed.” After growing up, they have forgotten from what point they have progressed. If you forget the root you will not get the fruit. Some people have forgotten and are criticizing by tweeting.
Referring to the campaign to fill road potholes, citizens have been provided an opportunity to inform the authorities about the problem of potholes by sending photographs to a phone number through WhatsApp, the Deputy Chief Minister said that such an opportunity has not been given to the citizens anywhere in the country.
Kiran Majumdar replied to Deputy CM
Meanwhile, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw on Saturday (18 October 2025) rejected DK Shivakumar’s allegation that he and former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai had any personal agenda as they did not raise any issue related to Bengaluru’s infrastructure during the BJP government.
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said in a post on X, “This is not true. Mohandas Pai and I have criticized the deteriorating infrastructure in our city during the previous BJP and JDS governments. Our agenda is clear to clean and repair the roads.
Criticizing DK Shivakumar for targeting industry giants, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashok said making comments on respected citizens like Kiran Mazumdar Shaw merely for expressing concern shows how insecure this government has become.