Even as 15 out of 28 constituencies in Bengaluru are yet to receive any grant for development from the Karnataka administration, the cash-strapped state government is seen splurging money on constructing a fancy, corporate-style meeting room for the deputy chief minister in the Vidhana Soudha, just like the one provided to the chief minister.
Room 337A in the Vidhana Soudha is being renovated with fancy wooden interiors, high-end lighting, and furniture to serve as an exclusive meeting room for deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar. This despite the Vidhana Soudha and neighbouring Vikasa Soudha having several meeting and conference rooms. The state, which has seen several deputy CMs, hadn’t witnessed such a demand from any of them so far. A smaller room adjacent to Shivakumar’s office is also being renovated in a similar fashion, raising serious questions about the government’s priorities.
The BJP has hit out at DK Shivakumar, questioning the need for a 7-star personal chamber when Karnataka is struggling with drought. The party has alleged that the move is part of a race between the chief minister and deputy chief minister where DK Shivakumar has tried to be on par with the CM, whether it is with photos in government advertisements or addressing the press immediately after a media briefing by Siddaramaiah on important issues.
“The deputy CM has crossed all limits on expenditure. He is in a race with the CM; since he gets a meeting room, the deputy CM wants one as well. More than 170 taluks are drought-hit and there is a power crisis. DK Shivakumar should have been more sensitive,” said Ashok Gowda, BJP spokesperson.
Evading questions on the cost incurred by the government to set up a fancy meeting room, the deputy chief minister argued that the meeting room is part of building Bengaluru’s image.
“BJP doesn’t have basic common sense. It is my chamber, I want to meet my people and dignitaries. We need a space to meet important dignitaries. So it is my meeting chamber and my room. The soil of Karnataka, wood of Karnataka, is being used there…They don’t have any basic sense and have not done anything good for the state. We are trying to project Bengaluru, Karnataka, in a better way and we are doing our job,” argued Shivakumar.
Although the government has asked various departments to cut down on unnecessary expenditures, its priorities have been questioned several times over the last few months.
In September, the Congress government in Karnataka approved the purchase of 33 new Toyota Innova Hycross multi-utility vehicles at a cost of Rs 9.9 crore, with each vehicle for Rs 30 lakh.
Earlier in the month, minister NS Boseraju posted on social media site X about reviving new cars and termed it “exciting”, drawing criticism. On the other hand, an overeager animal husbandry minister K Venkatesh flaunted his new high-end car without even getting a registration number or even a temporary one, flouting motor vehicle rules. Venkatesh, who was in Chamarajanagar, decided to use his government car even before receiving a registration number from the transport department.
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