Mohandas Pai, Karnataka minister engage in verbal spat over public transport, govt buses
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has slammed Pai's statements. He questioned whether Pai is willing to come for a discussion with the BMTC Managing Director or would he just continue to publish messages on X, formerly Twitter.
New Delhi: Mohandas Pai, the Padma Shri awardee and former Infosys CEO, has expressed his displeasure through social media messages regarding the lack of government buses and public transport system in Karnataka. It has angered Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, and a war of words has begun again between the two sides.
Pai attacks Karnataka public transport system
Pai took to X and said that there has been a shortage of transport buses in the state for the last three years. He has accused the government of completely failing to provide an effective public transport system.
Addressing Transport Minister Reddy, Pai said the failure was due to the superstitious attitude that only public sector undertakings (PSUs) work. He added that people need a good transportation system, and they have appealed to allow private bus services to overcome this shortage.
Not just Pai
Earlier, eminent people, including Pai and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, had expressed their dissatisfaction over potholes on the roads in the state. Pai cited the shortage of BMTC buses, damage to buses due to deteriorated roads, and the inadequate transport system for Bengaluru's growing population. Their main demand is that private bus services should also be allowed in Bengaluru.
Reddy slams Pai's statements
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has slammed Pai's statements. He questioned whether Pai is willing to come for a discussion with the BMTC Managing Director or would he just continue to publish messages on X, formerly Twitter. Stating that Shakti is not just a project, but also economic empowerment, the minister informed that Karnataka currently operates 26,054 buses, serving 45 lakh passengers daily in Bengaluru.
He challenged Pai to show whether there is a similar public transport service in BJP-ruled states. Notably, BJP MLA Sunil Kumar had said on Thursday during the Assembly session, "This is not a listening government, this is a conflicting government."