Protest rally by Congress

Govt "powerless" about power supply

The opposition Congress staged an impressive protest rally in 4th Block, Jayanagar against the worsening power situation in the State. Leading the procession were senior Congress leaders DK Shivakumar, organizing president, Ramalinga Reddy, MLA, BTM Layout, J Alexander, Suresh, Jayanagar constituency president, former corporators Nagaraj, Dinakar among others.
In a scathing attack, Shivakumar lashed out at the BJP government's utter mismanagement of the power crisis. The government had promised free power supply to villagers to come to power, and now they were not supplying power to the villagers even when they were willing to pay for it, he pointed out.
Ramalinga Reddy pointed out that Bangalore was the highest source of revenue to Bescom, and yet the city was reeling under unprecedented power cuts, scheduled and unscheduled. In rural areas, there was no power for six hours every day, he said. If there was no disruption in power supply for the past five days, it was only because of the impending by-elections, he remarked. He also ridiculed the Chief Minister for allotting Rs one crore to Haj boards and religious Mutts, adding that it would have been better spent to buying power to meet the shortfall.

Congress leader Nagaraj also blamed the BJP for the difficulties faced by traders and the business community in Jayanagar. Instead of reconstructing the damaged JS Complex, the government should relocate the affected traders in a suitable area, he suggested.
The irrepressible Shivakumar ridiculed the government for assuring the people rice at Rs 2 per kg, whereas the price was now hovering around Rs 20-25. The party plans to hold similar such protest rallies all over the city.