Karnataka’s political trash fire ignited Wednesday when Deputy CM DK Shivakumar accused BJP MLAs of sabotaging Bengaluru’s waste management for leverage. In a press briefing, he exposed how these lawmakers are barring access to approved dump yards in their assembly segments, demanding quid pro quo in funds and benefits.
Shivakumar was unequivocal: ‘Public health and sanitation demand zero political interference.’ Disruptions include halting collection lorries, with MLAs insisting on ‘no dump zones’ in their turf.
In a provocative counter, he suggested retaliatory dumping at obstructive politicians’ residences or headquarters. BJP’s Aravind Limbavali and Doddaballapur’s Dheeraj Muniraju were called out for fresh protests.
Waste disposal remains non-negotiable, Shivakumar stressed, pledging Essential Services Act enforcement. Following standard norms, two new yards are secured, tenders dispatched, despite ongoing litigation being addressed.
He owned up to operational errors causing incidents, vowing legal repercussions and responsibility fixes. Yet, stopping fleets solves nothing. From dawn Thursday, trucks target sites in ST Somashekar and Krishna Byre Gowda territories.
This saga underscores Bengaluru’s perennial waste battles, but Shivakumar’s administration pledges unyielding service continuity, brushing off pressures.