DK Shivakumar, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Talk Bengaluru’s Growth, More
Following their public disagreement about Bengaluru's infrastructure issues on the social media platform X, Biocon chairperson Kiran Mujumdar Shaw visited Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar at his residence during Deepavali celebrations. The two had been trading criticisms while discussing the city's deteriorating infrastructure. Shaw made the visit to Shivakumar's home, where she was observed presenting him with a box of sweets.
Over recent weeks, Shaw along with other prominent industry leaders have been voicing concerns about the IT hub's road damage and ongoing waste management issues. The situation escalated when Shivakumar commented that both Shaw and Bengaluru have benefited from each other, but her continuous criticisms were unwelcome.
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Shaw recently emphasized how political leaders lack the sense of urgency needed to address Bengaluru's widely discussed problems. The 72-year-old business leader stated that resolving the city's issues requires only "urgency, focus and $1 billion push." She explained that the solution simply demands concentrated effort in budget distribution and implementation.
These comments came as a response to a message from Mohandas Pai, who had brought attention to the city's worsening road infrastructure.
The former Infosys CFO made an urgent appeal, stating, "Please help… can we have roads without potholes? This is not AI work but has been done for more than 200 years!"
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After multiple comments, the Karnataka Deputy CM, who also happens to be Bengaluru Development and Town Planning said on Saturday that Mazumdar-Shaw and former Infosys CFO TV Mohandas Pai “have some personal agenda.” He added, “I tell them openly, ‘Why didn’t they open their mouths during the BJP regime?’ They have a personal agenda. We will tackle it.”
He also criticised some business leaders for forgetting their roots after achieving success: “Those who have started businesses here have grown. After growing big, they have forgotten from what stage they have grown into what stage now. If you forget the root, you will not get the fruit. Some have forgotten and are criticising by tweeting.”
Mazumdar-Shaw rejected Shivakumar’s claim, writing on X, “Not true. Both TV Mohandas Pai and I have criticised deteriorating infrastructure in our city during previous BJP & JDS Governments. Our agenda is clear. Clean up and restore roads.”
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The gathering highlights the growing focus that both government representatives and business executives are placing on Bengaluru's municipal issues. As Bengaluru grapples with traffic jams, deteriorating road conditions, and disorganized city development, the conversation between Shivakumar and Mazumdar-Shaw represents a wider effort to find approaches that reconcile swift economic development with sustainable urban living environments.