Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka on Thursday termed the Karnataka Cabinet’s decision to withdraw the Bill allowing 5% of park land to be used for infrastructure projects a “victory” for the BJP’s campai…

Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka on Thursday termed the Karnataka Cabinet’s decision to withdraw the Bill allowing 5% of park land to be used for infrastructure projects a “victory” for the BJP’s campaign to protect Bengaluru’s green spaces.Addressing a press conference, Ashoka said the BJP had announced a “Save Parks, Save Bengaluru” campaign, which he claimed was the reason behind the Congress government’s decision to withdraw the Bill. Ashoka said the BJP recorded two victories in a month. Last week, Bellary MLA B Nagendra resigned from Shivakumar’s Cabinet in connection with the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation scam, following an agitation by the BJP seeking his ouster. Nagendra’s induction in Karnataka Cabinet caused embarrassment to party: Minister Satish Jarkiholi”Now, the Congress government has withdrawn the Bill permitting 5% of park land to be used for infrastructure,” Ashoka said. The Bill would have been “disastrous” for future generations, Ashoka said. “The Government Parks (Preservation) Act enacted in 1975 was intended to increase green cover and ensure that more than 30% of the state remains green. But with the decrease in green cover, flooding in the city has increased. Areas such as HSR Layout, Jayanagar and Hebbal are being flooded during rains,” he said. ‘I have faith, he will be cleared of all charges’: Karnataka CM Shivakumar, Dy CM Parameshwara back Nagendra after he quitsThe government wanted to “destroy parks” to facilitate a tunnel road project for industrialist Gautam Adani, Ashoka charged. “If the tunnel road project is implemented, the entire city will be at risk of flooding,” he said. Ashoka said the BJP would oppose any future attempt to divert park land. “All MLAs and former councilors were preparing to hold protests in parks. We had set a target of collecting five lakh signatures. Yoga and laughter clubs had also been contacted. This would have become a major movement,” Ashoka said. “The government should not bring this Bill back again in the future.”

Source: Deccan Herald