Biocon Founder Meets Karnataka Leaders Amid Ongoing Bengaluru Infrastructure Debate

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw met DK Shivakumar at his residence in Bengaluru this morning

Bengaluru:

Biocon founder and prominent business leader Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw visited Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at their Bengaluru residences this morning. Sources indicate the entrepreneur extended invitations to her nephew's wedding during these visits. These meetings have generated significant interest as they follow recent heated exchanges between Shaw and Karnataka ministers regarding Bengaluru's infrastructure conditions.

While Shaw did not interact with media representatives after the meetings, Shivakumar shared on X that they engaged in a productive conversation about "Bengaluru's growth, innovation, and the path ahead for Karnataka's growth story."

Shivakumar posted: "It was a pleasure to meet Ms. @kiranshaw, entrepreneur and Founder of Biocon, at my residence today. We had an engaging discussion on Bengaluru's growth, innovation, and the path ahead for Karnataka's growth story."

Previously, Shivakumar had suggested Shaw's criticism of Bengaluru's infrastructure, particularly road conditions, stemmed from a "personal agenda" and questioned why such concerns weren't raised during BJP's governance in Karnataka. Shaw refuted this claim, stating she had indeed criticized "deteriorating infrastructure" during both BJP and JDS administrations. "Our agenda is clear, clean up and restore roads," she emphasized.

The Biocon founder, along with other industry leaders such as former Infosys CFO TV Mohandas Pai, has consistently highlighted inadequate infrastructure and civic services in India's technology hub.

Shaw recently shared on X: "I had an overseas business visitor to Biocon Park who said, 'Why are the roads so bad and why is there so much garbage around? Doesn't the government want to support investment? I have just come from China and can't understand why India can't get its act together, especially when the winds are favourable?'"

Pai has also expressed concerns, stating that Bengaluru's road infrastructure issues stem from corruption and poor governance rather than urban growth. "Can we not have roads without potholes? This is not AI work; it has been done for more than 200 years," he remarked.

Some ministers, including Santosh Lad, have questioned whether Shaw would similarly challenge the Central government on matters like GST. Shaw responded firmly: "All I am seeking is garbage clearance and road resurfacing which ought to be done by the GBA (Greater Bengaluru Authority). Government ministers need to hold them responsible and accountable for shoddy and slow work. Here government and citizens need to be on the same page."