Lagatar24 Desk
Bengaluru: Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw met Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in Bengaluru on Tuesday, days after her public disagreement with state ministers over the city’s deteriorating infrastructure. Officially, Shaw visited the Congress leaders to invite them to her nephew’s wedding, but the meeting has drawn attention for its timing following sharp exchanges between her and government officials.
DK Shivakumar Shares Details of Discussion
After the meeting, DK Shivakumar posted on X, saying they had an “engaging discussion on Bengaluru’s growth, innovation, and the path ahead for Karnataka’s growth story.” The tone marked a shift from his earlier comments, where he accused Shaw of pursuing a “personal agenda” through her criticism of Bengaluru’s civic infrastructure.
Shaw’s Criticism and Ongoing Civic Concerns
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has repeatedly voiced concerns over the poor condition of roads and civic amenities in Bengaluru, calling for urgent government action. Responding to Shivakumar’s remarks, she clarified that her criticism was not politically motivated, adding that she had raised similar concerns during previous BJP and JDS governments. “Our agenda is clear — clean up and restore roads,” Shaw said.
Business Community Raises Alarm Over Infrastructure
Shaw and other industry figures, including former Infosys CFO TV Mohandas Pai, have been vocal about Bengaluru’s crumbling infrastructure. Shaw shared that a foreign business visitor had questioned how India’s tech capital could lag so far behind countries like China in maintaining urban infrastructure. Pai, echoing her frustration, said the state of the city’s roads reflected “corruption and bad governance” rather than rapid growth.
Government’s Response and Public Debate
Some ministers, such as Santosh Lad, deflected Shaw’s criticism by questioning whether she would challenge the central government on broader issues like GST. Shaw responded firmly, stating that her concern was about local governance. “All I am seeking is garbage clearance and road resurfacing, which ought to be done by the Greater Bengaluru Authority. The government and citizens need to be on the same page,” she said.
