Statement issued by
Shri L.K. Advani
Leader of the Opposition (Lok Sabha)

At a press conference in Bangalore

On 3 May 2008

When the people of Karnataka elect a new Vidhan Sabha this month, they have an opportunity, and also an obligation unto themselves, to ensure that 2004 does not repeat itself in 2008. The election in 2004 produced a hung assembly. When there is a virus attack, the computer hangs and malfunctions. This is what happened to the system of governance in Karnataka after the last Assembly elections. The virus of opportunism and betrayal by the Congress and the JD(S) played havoc with governance and development in Karnataka.

The same virus is threatening to hit Karnataka’s politics and governance once again. I say this because both the Congress and JD(S) are once again working on the scenario of a hung assembly so that they can replay the unscrupulous game they played after 2004, just to keep the BJP out of power. The people of Karnataka should not let this happen. They have a strong and effective anti-virus software in their possession — their valuable vote. By using this powerful tool in their hands, they can give themselves a stable government by giving a clear and decisive mandate to the BJP.

I am addressing this press conference in Bangalore. I have been visiting Bangalore for a long time and have always been charmed by its many attractions. Indeed, even in my childhood in Sindh, I used to hear — and I have mentioned this in my autobiography — that the two cleanest and most beautiful cities in the undivided India of those days were Karachi and Bangalore.

Of course, in the past 10-15 years, I have come to admire Bangalore (now Bengaluru) for another reason : for its spectacular achievements in information technology. Sadly, this admiration is now mixed with deep concern over the city’s present and future because of the urban chaos that I see almost everywhere. It seems that those who ruled Karnataka had no vision, no masterplan and no political will to create urban infrastructure and civic facilities commensurate with the needs of its rapidly growing population.

Bad roads, severe traffic jams, poor drinking water supply and sanitation in the newly populated areas of the city, expanding slums, artificially hiked land-prices that have given birth to land mafia, skyrocketing house-rents that make housing unaffordable for the poor and middle-classes, grossly inadequate facilities for education and healthcare, rising crime — who is responsible for all this mess?

A striking example of poor urban planning is the construction of a new airport without proper road connectivity. All this is symptomatic of miscarriage of good governance by the party that has ruled Karnataka for the longest period since its formation.

What is true about Bangalore is equally true about other cities and towns in the state. The lack of commitment and a long-term developmental perspective on the part of the rulers has meant untold hardships for the poor and middle classes in a state that has immense and proven potential to be a driver of India’s prosperity.

Since accountability is the cornerstone of democracy, the voters of Karnataka have a right to ask the Congress party: “Why should we vote for you?”

My appeal to the voters of Karnataka is straight and simple: “You have so far given the Congress party a chance – indeed, many a chance. You have given various formations of the Janata Dal a chance. This time, give the BJP a chance to set things right in Bangalore and the rest of Karnataka.”

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Inflation goes up further: Congress will have to pay a heavy price

Today’s newspapers have reported that the rate of inflation has further increased to 7.57, the highest in 42 months. This shows that the UPA government’s claims of taking effective measures to control inflation and reduce prices of essential commodities are untrue.

I have said earlier that the Congress party will have to pay a big price for its failure to rein in price rise, which affects the aam aadmi the most. The first place where the party will have to pay a heavy price is Karnataka itself.