The collapse of an under-construction pillar of the Bengaluru Metro, which killed a woman and her two-year-old son, has prompted calls for Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's resignation. The Congress has yet again raised allegations of "40 per cent commission", stressing that corruption has been prevailing across government departments.
The incident happened on Tuesday morning when the under-construction pillar - reported to be nearly 40 feet tall and weighing several tonnes - collapsed at around 11 am on Outer Ring Road near HBR Layout in the city. A family of four was passing by on a two-wheeler. The woman and her son died while her husband and daughter were injured.
Shortly after, Chief Minister Bommai told reporters, "I just got to know about it, we will get it investigated... we will ascertain the reason for the collapse of the pillar and provide compensation."
But the incident - which comes months ahead of the state elections due in the state - has triggered a political row. "This is the result of the 40 per cent commission' government. There is no quality in development work," Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. The grand old party - in the past too - has raised similar allegations over the death of contractors amid accusations of corruption.
"It's very shocking that an under-construction pillar fell on a woman and child. Until now there were pothole deaths now pillars are collapsing. This is a clear case of violation, negligence and corruption of the BJP govt," Congress MLA Sowmya Reddy said.
{{/usCountry}}"It's very shocking that an under-construction pillar fell on a woman and child. Until now there were pothole deaths now pillars are collapsing. This is a clear case of violation, negligence and corruption of the BJP govt," Congress MLA Sowmya Reddy said.
{{/usCountry}}"Karnataka Chief Minister must resign. It's a clear case of poor work and people have succumbed to it. Now, people of Bengaluru and Karnataka are fed up," she further added.
(With inputs from PTI, ANI)