Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw traveled to X on Sunday to report that she met Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to discuss an action plan to address key infrared bottlenecks in Bengaluru.
She posted a picture of herself standing next to DK Shivakumar, former CFO of Infosys TV Mohandas Pai and other industry leaders and wrote on X, “Had a very constructive meeting with Deputy CM @DKShivakumar to agree on an action plan to remove key infra bottlenecks on roads, drainage of ORR (Outer Ring Road), PRR (Peripheral Ring Road).
Also seen in the picture are Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Commissioner Maheshwar Rao, businessman and former JDS spokesperson Tanveer Ahmed and Co-Chairman ASSOCHAM – Karnataka RK Misra.
This was the second meeting between DK Shivakumar and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw to discuss Bengaluru’s pressing civic issues, marking a step towards reconciliation after their recent public spat over the city’s infrastructure.
Bangalore infra woes
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw had already met Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Deputy DK Shivakumar on October 21 to greet them on the occasion of Deepavali and ensure cooperation and support for the development of Bengaluru.
Shaw criticized Bengaluru’s infrastructure problems. She highlighted them through her social media posts and repeatedly urged the state government to intervene.
Shivakumar, who is also the minister in-charge of Bengaluru development, had earlier said that Shaw has ensured the industry’s cooperation and support for the development of Bengaluru.
“Biocon chief Kiran Muzumdar-Shaw visited Cauvery (CM’s official residence) and wished Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Deepavali. Legislative Council Speaker Basavaraj Horatti was present on the occasion,” the CM’s office said in a statement.
On 21 October, Shaw met Shivakumar at his Sadashivanagar residence in Bengaluru. Asked if there was any discussion about Bengaluru with Shaw, Shivakumar said, “Of course, they (industry leaders) have agreed to work together to develop Bengaluru and Bengaluru will not be harmed. They will support the system.”
He added that he had called a meeting of the local bodies adjoining the Greater Bengaluru Authority area.
Noting that IT/BT and other industries have said they will work together for development in Bengaluru, the Deputy CM said he would call them for a meeting.
“I am now visiting all the five corporations and meeting the people there. After that I will call the IT/BT people separately…I will discuss it with them. I have sought their cooperation,” he added.
The state government has been under fire for some time over the poor condition of roads and traffic problems in the city, with industry veterans like former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai and Shaw repeatedly openly urging the state government to take immediate action.
Facing mounting criticism from industry leaders, Shivakumar recently called on them to stop “hurting” the city and state that have contributed to their growth.
Pointing out that the government is making every effort to resolve the issues, he appealed to industry leaders not to forget their “roots” — Bengaluru, Karnataka and its people — and asked them to be patient, stressing that “everything has its limitations.”
The Deputy CM subsequently alleged that Shaw and Mohandas Pai had some “personal agenda” as they did not raise any issues regarding Bengaluru’s infrastructure during the BJP regime.
Shaw rejected the claim and wrote on ‘X’: “Not true. Both TV Mohandas Pai and I have criticized the deteriorating infrastructure in our city to the previous BJP and JDS governments. Our agenda is clear, clean and restore the roads.”
Later in the day, Shaw also met veteran BJP leader and former CM BS Yediyurappa at his residence. She also called on BJP MLA and former deputy CM CN Ashwath Narayan at his residence.
“It was my pleasure to receive Ms. Kiran Shaw, Founder and Executive Chairman of Biocon at my residence today. She visited me to invite me to a family function and I congratulated her on being the 3rd richest woman in the world,” Narayan wrote on ‘X’.
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