Gautam Adani’s name was repeatedly raised during the BJP’s protest in the Assembly.
| Photo Credit: File photo
The Opposition BJP on Monday (August 24, 2026) accused the Congress government in Karnataka of “double standards”, alleging that it had rolled out the “red carpet” for Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani in the State, while the Congress leadership in Delhi portrayed him as a “BJP agent”.Leading the BJP protest in the Legislative Assembly, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok alleged that the government had “surrendered” to Mr. Adani by passing the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which allows up to 5% of park and garden land to be sold, leased, gifted, exchanged or mortgaged for public utility projects.Links to tunnel roadMr. Ashok claimed the amendment was aimed at facilitating the proposed 17.1-km Bengaluru North-South Twin Tunnel Road, connecting Hebbal with the Central Silk Board Junction, and alleged that the Adani Group was set to execute the project.Mr. Adani’s name was repeatedly raised during the BJP’s protest, which was primarily aimed at demanding the resignation of Minister B. Nagendra over his alleged role in the embezzlement of funds in the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation.Speaking to reporters later, Mr. Ashok accused the D.K. Shivakumar government of trying to “take over parks and garden land” in Bengaluru. He alleged that the city had been transformed from a “garden city” into a “garbage city” and claimed that rising pollution levels were causing health problems, including asthma. He demanded that the tunnel project be scrapped.Lowest bidderAdani Enterprises emerged as the lowest bidder for the 17.1-km twin-tunnel project with a bid of ₹22,267 crore, higher than the State government’s initial estimate. The bid has triggered a political controversy over both the project cost and the Congress government’s engagement with the Adani Group. Mr. Shivakumar’s meeting with Mr. Adani at his Sadashivanagar residence on Sunday further fuelled the BJP’s criticism. Mr. Ashok questioned whether Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi had given the Chief Minister permission to meet Mr. Adani.The BJP has opposed the tunnel project, with Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya among its prominent critics. Mr. Surya has also approached the Karnataka High Court challenging the project.The BJP’s criticism comes against the backdrop of Rahul Gandhi’s repeated attacks on the Adani Group and his allegations of close links between the business group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Published - August 24, 2026 07:10 pm IST
