Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday, 10 June launched a sharp counter-attack against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, dismissing allegations of ₹10,000 crore in kickbacks linked to Bengaluru's Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) tender as politically motivated and accusing Ashoka of functioning as an 'agent of the garbage mafia.'

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Shivakumar called the charges an exercise in 'politics of jealousy,' marking the first major corruption salvo fired by the BJP against his government since it assumed office.

Shivakumar's Rebuttal

'Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka is speaking as an agent of the garbage mafia in Bengaluru. I had earlier discussed with him the need to control this mafia. It is surprising that he is now acting as its spokesperson,' Shivakumar said.

The Chief Minister also took a pointed jab at Ashoka's record in office: 'If he wants garbage, we can load it onto a truck and send it to him. Why was his government unable to finalise waste management tenders during its tenure?' He noted that Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had previously made similar remarks, suggesting a coordinated campaign by a 'powerful garbage lobby' in the city.

What the Government Said About the Project

Shivakumar defended the ISWM initiative, saying he had personally visited Delhi, Hyderabad, and Chennai to study their waste management models before proceeding. He acknowledged that all previous waste-to-energy projects in the city had failed despite permissions being granted to 14–15 entities.

Private players are expected to invest around ₹6,000 crore in waste disposal infrastructure, he said. Land for the project has been secured at Doddaballapur and from parcels left by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE). The government also allocated ₹800 crore following demands from legislators to tackle waste management challenges.

'Our objective is to generate gas and electricity from waste. Let them conduct any investigation they want. Even if there is a misuse of ₹10 crore, not ₹36,000 crore, I am ready to face any inquiry,' he asserted.

The BJP's Allegations

Earlier on Wednesday, Ashoka had alleged at a press conference that the ISWM project constituted a scam worth ₹36,500 crore, with kickbacks of ₹10,000 crore allegedly paid out. He alleged that the Congress-led government had steered the tender toward 'powerful companies,' displacing the local operators who had previously handled the work at various levels.

A BJP delegation led by Ashoka subsequently met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and submitted a memorandum demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and the dismissal of the state government over alleged large-scale financial impropriety.

Shivakumar's Counter on Legal History and Transparency

The Chief Minister alleged that BJP leader Aravind Limbavali had previously obstructed the transportation of waste, and that BJP legislators themselves had informed the government that waste management tenders had been stalled for nearly a decade due to repeated legal challenges.

'Every decision was taken to court. Ultimately, the court upheld the government's decision. Even after the court's approval, I constituted a committee and ordered a review. They are indulging in politics of jealousy because they cannot tolerate our transparency and style of governance,' he said.

Responding to questions about the BJP approaching the Governor, Shivakumar alleged that the opposition could not accept his elevation to the Chief Minister's post, adding: 'I know what is happening within their party and other parties as well. There may be pressures on them that are forcing them to make such statements.'

What Happens Next

With the BJP having formally sought a CBI inquiry and the matter now before the Governor, the ISWM controversy is set to intensify in the Karnataka Assembly. The government's openness to any investigation — as stated by Shivakumar — will be tested by whether it cooperates with or contests any formal probe mechanism that may follow.