Bengaluru Metro Inauguration Sparks Political Clash

The opening of the new Yellow Line section of the Bengaluru metro has ignited a political dispute between Karnataka’s Congress government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The controversy began when senior BJP leader Tejasvi Surya invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the metro line, a move that was criticized by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Shivakumar labeled Surya as a “boy in a hurry,” accusing him of bypassing the state government by announcing details and sending invitations without proper consultation.

Tejasvi Surya’s Response to Criticism

In response, Tejasvi Surya defended his actions, accusing Shivakumar of being “ageist” and “insensitive.” He argued that the Congress party embodies a “politics of delay,” while he represents a younger generation eager for immediate reforms. Surya emphasized the metro’s importance for thousands of commuters who endure long travel times to reach their workplaces. He criticized the prolonged completion time for infrastructure projects, citing an example of a two-kilometer flyover in his constituency that took 8.5 years to finish.

Congress Accused of Delaying Metro Inauguration

Surya further alleged that the Congress government had postponed the metro inauguration six times. He highlighted efforts by local leaders and public members who demanded the inauguration be completed by August 15. Meanwhile, DK Shivakumar explained that technical clearances for the metro line were only received on July 31, justifying the scheduled inauguration date of August 10 with Prime Minister Modi.

Credit Dispute Over Metro Project

The BJP leader accused Congress of attempting to claim credit for a project they had minimal involvement in. He pointed out that construction began in 2018 with an expected completion by 2021, but delays occurred due to COVID-19 and land acquisition issues. Surya credited the BJP government under BS Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai for completing significant portions of the work during their tenures, while criticizing Congress for not appointing a full-time Managing Director for BMRCL.