Bengaluru, Oct 21 (NationPress) Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared on Tuesday that the state government is dedicated to the orderly and systematic advancement of Bengaluru with a massive investment of Rs 1.2 lakh crore.

"Our investment of Rs 1.2 lakh crore is aimed at enhancing Bengaluru through the construction of new outer ring roads, tunnel roads, flyovers, and double-decker roads. Hence, it's crucial to support those genuinely making a difference," CM Siddaramaiah expressed during the inauguration of modernisation projects in Chickpet, located in the Gandhinagar Assembly constituency, which is represented by Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao. He also performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the white-topping of roads in the region.

“Bengaluru is expanding swiftly. Given the increasing population, we are allocating substantial funds for the modernisation and enhancement of the city's road infrastructure,” he added.

“We are covering 87% of the funding for Bengaluru’s Metro project. This implies that 87% of the financial support for the Metro originates from the state’s citizens. Yet, the BJP misleadingly claims it as a Central government initiative," Siddaramaiah remarked.

Criticising the BJP, he said: "The Central government under (PM) Narendra Modi has exploited the citizens of India for eight years through GST. Now, after all this exploitation, they audaciously present Modi’s image and label it a ‘Diwali Gift’ to the populace."

"You chose such deceivers; why do you lament now?" questioned Siddaramaiah.

The CM revealed that the state has incurred a loss of Rs 15,000 crore due to alterations in GST, which the Modi administration promotes as a “Diwali Gift.”

"We are undertaking the transformation of Bengaluru at a cost of Rs 1.2 lakh crore, with no financial assistance from the Centre," he asserted.

"During the BJP's governance, they failed to construct even a single new road or repair a pothole. All existing roads were developed during the Congress administration," he stressed.

From the podium, the CM directed BBMP Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao to address all potholes and apply a layer of tar on the roads within a week.

CM Siddaramaiah accused BJP leaders like R. Ashoka and B.Y. Vijayendra of lacking independent voices, stating, "They merely recite what the RSS dictates to them."

“During one Assembly session, I inquired R. Ashoka about this, and he admitted, ‘What can we do, sir? An RSS person is always present. If we don’t comply, we won’t be spared,’” Siddaramaiah claimed.

Pointing fingers at the BJP leadership in the state, he asked, "You keep reciting PM Modi's name – but have you ever questioned Karnataka's betrayal?"

"Has your BJP MP P.C. Mohan ever advocated for you in Parliament?" the CM queried the audience.

"I refer to MP Tejasvi Surya as 'Amavasya Surya' (the sun that doesn’t shine). To this day, has he uttered a word about the injustices and betrayals inflicted on Karnataka by the PM Modi government? Have Union Ministers like Shobha Karandlaje or H.D. Kumaraswamy ever raised their voices against the betrayal Karnataka faces from the Centre? What have you, the state, or even their own constituencies gained from electing such representatives?" he questioned.

Describing Dinesh Gundu Rao as "a devoted MLA focused solely on the development of his constituency," Siddaramaiah remarked that he "possesses immense potential and must be re-elected with a greater majority in the upcoming elections."

He noted that the markets here, which date back to Kempegowda’s era, still maintain their historical essence. "At one point, we considered widening the roads here, but Dinesh Gundu Rao firmly opposed it, stating, 'Sir, it would inconvenience the locals.' Instead, he devised a plan to modernise the roads and enhance Chickpet without expansion," he highlighted.

"Having an MLA like Dinesh Gundu Rao is a blessing for you," the CM concluded.