Congress recalls 'those Krishna days'

Flanked by leaders of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, Krishna addressed the press on Saturday, reminiscing about his days as Chief Minister (1999-2004) and the progress made by Bangalore.

“I request Bangaloreans to compare the development and progress the City witnessed during the Congress regime and that during subsequent governments, before they vote in the BBMP elections”, he said.

The Union Minister said Bangalore, which had attracted the attention of the world, had  lost its shine since. “It is very unfortunate that the city’s failing image is felt even abroad. The BBMP elections has provided an opportunity for Bangaloreans to set things right”, Krishna said.

During his tenure, BDA had allotted 70,000 sites besides 50,000 sites for BPL families, while the present government had allotted only stray sites for a chosen few and legislators. “That’s the difference between a government which works for the people and a handful of people”, the former Chief Minister said.

He said as many as 27 flyovers  had been sanctioned across the city during his tenure as CM. Instead of completing them the present government had taken up building ‘magic boxes’ which damaged roads and disfigured the city, Krishna claimed.

Krishna said the state government had failed to properly utlise the funds provided by the Centre under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission and grants for buying rolling stock.

However, Krishna will not campaign for his party in Bangalore. “I would have loved to. In fact, I had planned to stay in Bangalore for two days. But then the sad news came in that former Nepal Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala had passed away. I will be attending his cremation in Nepal tomorrow”, Krishna said.

 “I am a voter and stakeholder of Bangalore. I have lots of love and affection for the city regardless of the what be my assignment”, he added.