The Congress-led Karnataka government is facing mounting criticism from the opposition BJP for its alleged financial mismanagement and failure to address the ongoing transport employees’ strike that has crippled public movement across the state. Calling it a “pauper government”, senior BJP leaders R. Ashoka and Araga Jnanendra launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing him of pushing the state into bankruptcy and turning a blind eye to the plight of state transport workers.
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, BJP leader R. Ashoka minced no words:
“This government is bankrupt. They announced free bus travel for women, but now even that has been cut. Siddaramaiah once claimed the treasury was overflowing. What happened to that money now? Why can’t they meet the just demands of transport employees?” Ashoka reminded the Congress of its past attacks on the BJP and said the present government lacks the intent and ability to resolve the strike.
ಸಿಎಂ @siddaramaiah ಅವರೇ,
ಸಾರಿಗೆ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳು ಹಿಂದೆಂದೂ ಕಂಡು ಕೇಳರಿಯದ ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಲಾಭದಲ್ಲಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಸುಳ್ಳು ಹೇಳಿಕೊಂಡು ಪುಟಗಟ್ಟಲೇ ಜಾಹೀರಾತು ಕೊಟ್ಟು ಬಿಟ್ಟಿ ಪ್ರಚಾರ ಪಡೆದಿದ್ದೆ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಏಕೈಕ ಸಾಧನೆ. ಅವೈಜ್ಞಾನಿಕ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳ ಮೂಲಕ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸಾರಿಗೆ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳನ್ನ ದಿವಾಳಿ ಮಾಡಿದ ಕುಖ್ಯಾತಿ ನಿಮ್ಮ @INCKarnataka ಸರ್ಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ… https://t.co/MsBj332asp pic.twitter.com/haOdEHc1Jh
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) August 5, 2025
“When I was the Transport Minister under Yediyurappa’s leadership, we had increased salaries by 15% and released ₹480 crore to support the department. Siddaramaiah and the Congress are now trying to cover up their failure by misleading people,” he said.
He further criticised Siddaramaiah for remaining unresponsive: “Instead of sleeping, the Chief Minister should immediately convene a meeting with transport employees and resolve their issues. If he can’t solve the problem, he should step down from the chair.”
“Where is the overflowing treasury now?”
Former Home Minister Araga Jnanendra also joined the chorus, mocking the CM’s previous boast that the state’s treasury was “overflowing. “If the coffers are full, why is the government unable to pay salaries and fulfil workers’ demands? This government promised free schemes to win elections, but they are now unable to pay their staff. This is a betrayal of public trust.”
Both leaders accused the Congress of using freebie politics to lure voters while pushing essential sectors like transportation into a deep crisis. “In the name of ‘free’, they are bankrupting the state. Now they are not even paying salaries properly. They must stop this charade and show some responsibility,” Ashoka said.
ದಿವಾಳಿ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಸಾರಿಗೆ ನೌಕರರ ಮುಷ್ಕರ, ರಾಜ್ಯಾದ್ಯಂತ ಸ್ತಬ್ಧವಾದ ಬಸ್ ಸಂಚಾರ!
🚌ಬಸ್ಸಿಲ್ಲ..ಬಸ್ಸಿಲ್ಲ..
❌ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳು ಶಾಲಾ ಕಾಲೇಜುಗಳಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಲು ಬಸ್ಸಿಲ್ಲ
❌ನೌಕರರು, ಉದ್ಯೋಗಿಗಳು ಕೆಲಸಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಲು ಬಸ್ಸಿಲ್ಲ
❌ ನೆಂಟರಿಷ್ಟರ ಮನೆಗಳಿಗೆ, ಶುಭ ಸಮಾರಂಭಗಳಿಗೆ, ಸಾವು-ನೋವಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಲು ಬಸ್ಸಿಲ್ಲಇದು ಬಹುಪಾಲು… pic.twitter.com/NQOqmYcr7i
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) August 5, 2025
Ashoka recalled how Siddaramaiah had once accused the BJP government of high-handedness during similar strikes in the past and questioned the CM’s current silence. “You once asked us if we thought our chairs were permanent. I now ask you, how long do you think you will sit in power when people are suffering due to your misgovernance?”
Public, students suffer as the government fails to act
The transport strike has caused chaos for the general public, particularly students and daily commuters. With government buses off the roads, private operators have begun overcharging passengers, leading to further anger.
“Common people’s money is being looted. Private buses are charging high fares. The government must immediately rein in this exploitation,” demanded former home minister Araga Jnanendra. He also urged the Congress government to stop shifting blame and instead take action:
“They keep pointing fingers at the previous BJP government, but the reality is that people elected you to do better. You promised better governance and financial discipline. What happened to all those promises?” he asked.
CM must act or quit, says opposition
Both leaders reiterated that the Siddaramaiah-led administration must immediately initiate talks with transport workers and resolve the strike.
“We fully support the just demands of transport employees. The government must stop punishing them and act immediately,” Ashoka stated, adding that failing to act would only deepen the crisis.
In rural areas, the situation has worsened with limited alternatives available for public transportation. Villagers, students, and the elderly have been particularly hit hard by the absence of KSRTC and BMTC buses.
“This government keeps saying one thing and doing another. Their words and actions don’t match. This is nothing short of betrayal,” Ashoka concluded.
