Bengaluru has long been celebrated as India’s Silicon Valley, a beacon of technological innovation and economic growth. But BJP leaders in Karnataka are now painting a grim picture, accusing the Congress-led state government of transforming this IT powerhouse into a notorious ‘drugs park.’
The sharp criticism came from BJP state general secretary and senior MLA V. Sunil Kumar during a heated debate in the assembly on Thursday. Responding to the governor’s address, Kumar didn’t hold back. ‘What was once known as Karnataka IT Park has now become a drugs park,’ he thundered, pointing to recent police raids that exposed drug factories right under the state’s nose.
Kumar highlighted shocking incidents that have rocked the state. Maharashtra Police had to swoop into Mysuru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s home district, to bust a drug factory. Not to be outdone, Delhi Police raided another in Bengaluru. ‘If out-of-state forces can uncover these operations, why can’t our own Karnataka Police?’ he questioned, referencing the CM’s own admission in a meeting with IPS officers that nothing happens without police knowledge.
The BJP leader lambasted the government for letting law and order spiral out of control. ‘Karnataka has become fertile ground for drug mafias, tarnishing our image,’ he said. He accused the administration of selective justice, where common citizens face one set of rules and Congress leaders another. Over the past two-and-a-half years, he claimed, the rule of law has been systematically dismantled.
Kumar cited multiple examples to bolster his case. In Kalaburagi, the opposition leader in the legislative council was detained, yet no action followed. Conversely, the government swiftly targeted BJP MLC C.T. Ravi over comments on Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar. In Kolar’s Sidlaghatta, it took 14 days for authorities to act against a Congress leader threatening a female municipal commissioner. ‘It took them two weeks to identify their own party member,’ he mocked.
The rot runs deep, according to Kumar. In Shivamogga’s Bhadravati, a Congress MLA’s son intimidated government officials. JD(S) MLA Kareamma Naik spoke in the house about threats from sand mafias, while senior BJP MLA S. Suresh Kumar reported Congress workers targeting his Bengaluru home. ‘Congress leaders think they can do anything,’ Kumar fumed, urging immediate reforms to restore order and protect Karnataka’s reputation.