Minister's remarks expose Cong govt's failure, says LoP Ashoka

A fresh political row has erupted in Karnataka after Urban Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda pulled up officials over alleged irregularities in Bengaluru civic projects, with Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka claiming that the minister's own observations have exposed the Congress government's failure to curb corruption.

- NT Correspondent

Launching a sharp attack on the ruling Congress, Ashoka alleged that massive irregularities had taken place in the implementation of tree plantation and stray dog sterilisation programmes, resulting in the misuse of crores of rupees in public funds.

The controversy follows a review meeting of the Bengaluru Urban Development Department during which Krishna Byre Gowda questioned officials over the execution of several civic works. Referring to the minister's reported remark, "Do you think I have a hibiscus flower in my ear?", Ashoka said the question should instead be directed at the people of Karnataka.

"In reality, it is the seven-and-a-half crore Kannadigas asking the Congress government whether it believes the public can be deceived while corruption flourishes," Ashoka said in a post on X.