Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday, 7 November launched a sharp attack on the Karnataka state government, alleging a complete failure to deliver basic infrastructure in Bengaluru and accusing it of repeatedly hiking prices of essential commodities and public transport to manage its fiscal situation. The minister made these allegations while participating in a Janata Dal (Secular) protest in the Pulakeshinagar Assembly constituency.

The Core Allegations

Speaking at the protest — organised under the leadership of former MLA Akhanda Srinivasamurthy — Kumaraswamy alleged that more than ₹250 crore of taxpayers' money had been 'looted' in the name of development works in Pulakeshinagar, without delivering the required basic amenities such as drinking water and drainage facilities. The minister did not present documentary evidence for this figure at the event, and the state government has not responded to the specific allegation as of the time of this report.

Kumaraswamy criticised the state government for raising milk prices by ₹10 to ₹12 per litre, arguing that the burden had fallen disproportionately on poor and working-class families. While he said he had no objection to price revisions that genuinely benefited farmers, he alleged that the additional revenue was not reaching dairy farmers and that families with young children were struggling to afford milk and curd.

BMTC Fare Hike and Women's Free Travel Promise

The Union Minister also trained his fire on the government's decision to raise Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus fares by 45 per cent. He alleged a contradiction at the heart of the government's transport policy: while it had promised free bus travel for women, it had simultaneously increased fare rates and bus pass prices, placing an additional financial burden on commuters. Critics argue this undercuts the stated welfare intent of the free-travel scheme.

Centre's Rice Supply, Women's Scheme, and Employment Concerns

Kumaraswamy accused the Karnataka government of taking credit for the five kilograms of free rice supplied by the Centre, alleging it was being projected as the state's own contribution. He argued that without the Centre's supply, the state's management of food security would have left residents in greater hardship.

He further alleged that the ₹2,000 monthly assistance scheme for women was being hampered by delays in fund release, that development activities had come to a near standstill, and that youth unemployment remained unaddressed. These are recurring opposition talking points in Karnataka, where the Congress-led government has been in office since May 2023.

Right to Protest and Political Defection

Kumaraswamy also alleged that the government was restricting citizens' right to protest, claiming that gatherings of more than 50 to 100 people were being disallowed by citing court orders. He said such restrictions were effectively curtailing the fundamental freedom to raise grievances publicly.

In a development that added political colour to the event, Irfan, a former president of the Indian National Congress party's minority wing, publicly quit the Congress and joined the JDS during the programme. Greater Bengaluru JDS president H.M. Ramesh Gowda also addressed the gathering. Kumaraswamy concluded by calling for a united struggle to bring in a government aligned with the welfare ideals of Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

The protest marks an intensification of JDS's ground-level campaign in Bengaluru ahead of what is expected to be a politically charged period in Karnataka state politics.