'What have you done for Bengaluru?': Mohandas Pai slams Karnataka govt again. Minister responds

TV Mohandas Pai on Saturday hit out at Karnataka health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao over the government's inaction in the last 1.5 years.

Former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai continues his attacks on the Karnataka government after the recent spate of rainfall highlighted Bengaluru's crumbling infrastructure. On Saturday, he took a dig at the state's health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao after he lauded chief minister Siddaramaiah for prioritising the welfare of citizens despite being denied funds from the Centre.

'Karnataka fuels India's aspirations with its substantial tax contributions, driven by impressive economic growth. Despite being denied its rightful share of GST by the Central Government, Karnataka remains one of India's top-performing states in terms of economic growth," Rao wrote on X. "Under the visionary leadership of Siiddaramaiah, the government has launched numerous innovative initiatives and flagship programs, prioritizing the welfare of citizens and empowering the common man through guarantee schemes."

"This is great," Pai said, responding to Rao's post. "Karnataka is the richest big state in India. But can you tell us what you have done for Bengaluru over the last 18 months, please? Our lives have become more miserable, corruption has increased. Central government does not decide tax devolution but finance commission does."

This prompted Rao to request Pai to raise his voice to ensure Karnataka gets its "rightful GST share" so that the state and Bengaluru can be developed.

"I know it's tough for you to acknowledge Karnataka's success under the Congress government. I understand your ready willingness to speak out about our government; however, when it comes to advocating for our rightful GST share, you seem to become surprisingly silent, reminiscent of 'Mounadas' Pai," he wrote. "Nevertheless, I invite you to join our fight to demand what's rightfully ours, so we can collectively work towards a better Bengaluru and Karnataka."

Read more: Mohandas Pai slams Bengaluru's 'misgovernance' prompting TDP's Nara Lokesh to pitch Andhra to MNCs