• Source:JND
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The BJP has taken a jibe at Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar after Wipro chairperson Azim Premji turned down the state government's request to open the company's campus as a thoroughfare for Bengaluru traffic.

The BJP said that the CM and DCM are out with a begging bowl for alms to cover the potholes. LoP in Karnataka Legislative Council, Chaluvadi Narayanaswamy said, "Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar have both set out with a begging bowl. They need alms to cover the potholes. The situation has come to this. Instead of cooperating with the people, they are troubling them."

On CM Siddaraiah's request, the Wipro founder had recently replied with a letter assuring the government of its commitment to partnering on mobility changes. However, he turned down to open vehicles within the Sarjapur campus of the company.

Narayanaswamy hit out at the government, saying such a request reflects an empty treasury, and that the party must thank Premji for declining it.

ALSO READ: Bengaluru: Wipro Chairman Azim Premji Turns Down CM Siddaramaiah's Request To Open Campus Road Along ORR

"This means that your treasury is empty and all the things you are saying are lies. He (Premji) has gracefully declined their request. We should thank Wipro. They have provided thousands of crores to supply nutritious food to school children across the state. If the government did that, how much money would they have stolen?" Narayanaswamy asked.

In his letter, Premji acknowledged the sensitivity of the Bengaluru traffic issue and appreciated the government's appeal for corporate support in tackling the traffic congestion on Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road.

But he denied the request as the Sarjapur campus of Wipro is a designated special economic zone (SEZ) and thus, is bound by strict access control rules due to its global service commitments.

"With respect to the specific suggestion of allowing public vehicular movement through our Sarjapur campus, we apprehend significant legal, governance, and statutory challenges since it is an exclusive private property owned by a listed company not intended for public thoroughfare," read his letter.

ALSO READ: Bengaluru Traffic: Siddaramaiah Writes To Azim Premji Seeking Wipro Campus Access To Ease Outer Ring Road Traffic

"That apart, it will also be appreciated that our Sarjapur campus is a SEZ providing services to global customers, our contractual conditions mandate stringent, non-negotiable access control norms for governance and compliance. Moreover, public vehicular movement through private property would not be effective as a sustainable, long-term solution," the letter added.