Karnataka bus strike: BJP cautions govt against 'coercive measures', urges Siddaramaiah to carry out dialogue with agitators

Bengaluru: The BJP on Tuesday cautioned the state government against using coercive measures like invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against striking employees of the transport corporations.  

The party has urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to instead pursue meaningful dialogue with the agitators.

BJP leaders — state unit president B Y Vijayendra, leaders of the Opposition R Ashoka, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, former deputy CM Dr C N Ashwath Narayan and senior leader C T Ravi — spoke to reporters separately and all demanded that Siddaramaiah must intervene to resolve the crisis.

They also dared the chief minister to tell the truth, if the state had no money.

"If treasury is empty, say it openly. Don't pretend to care. If you can’t manage, step aside. BJP will support the workers and raise this issue in the legislature," they said.

Vijayendra said students in rural areas were badly affected as there were no buses.

He blamed guarantee schemes for the reduction in bus services in recent times.  KSRTC and other transport corporations were unable to pay salaries because of a financial crisis, he said. 

Ashoka said the government was bankrupt and failing to pay its staff.

"If you can't pay, admit it. But don't ignore the demands of hard-working employees," he said. He reminded that BJP paid half salaries even during Covid. Now, with a Rs 4-lakh crore budget, it should be easier, he said.

Ravi accused Congress of blaming BJP unfairly. "Only 12 months of arrears is from our time. The other 26 months are yours," he said.

He said, "Rs 11 lakh for tea and coffee at CM’s house? The government spends on helicopter rides and new cars for ministers, but has no money for KSRTC workers?"

Ashwath Narayan and Narayanaswamy said BJP would raise the issue both inside and outside the legislature.