‘Bangalore is a people’s city’

‘Bangalore is a people’s city’
The Times of India

Bangalore: Not to be left out when the debate over the city’s failing infrastructure is hotting up, deputy CM M P Prakash on Tuesday hit back at the IT industry’s criticism and stressed that Bangalore is a “people’s city’’ and the industries are setting up base here not because of the civic situation but the excellent manpower the city offered.

“These industry bigwigs complain about how the city’s shoddy roads are not made to handle rain. But when floods hit the state, not one of these millionaires came forth to help either monetarily or by way of providing manpower. But many middle-class people came forward to help by contributing to the CM’s relief fund,’’ said Prakash.

Pleas for Metro Rail: At the inauguration of the Basavanagudi flyover, political leaders urged chief minister N. Dharam Singh to ensure that Metro Rail took off in November. Minister for primary and secondary education Ramalinga Reddy, taking a dig at JD(S) leader Deve Gowda, said: “No matter what anyone says about Metro Rail, it is an absolute necessity.’’ When MP Ananth Kumar said, “My appeal is that Deve Gowda should not cause any obstacles’’, the CM replied: “There is no obstacle in the way of Metro Rail; it will take off and will help 16 lakh people.’’