BENGALURU: Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and Lok Sabha MP Rajeev Rai, currently in Bengaluru, has triggered a political storm after openly criticising the city’s chronic traffic congestion and accusing the Karnataka government of “the worst traffic management” and “irresponsible, useless traffic police”. His comments, made through a post on X on Sunday, have drawn widespread reactions from citizens and political leaders alike, including members of the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP.
SP MP lashes out at Karnataka government
Rai, who represents Uttar Pradesh’s Ghosi constituency in the Lok Sabha, took to X to express his frustration after being stuck for an hour on Rajkumar Samadhi Road. He stated that the gridlock would cause him to miss his flight to Delhi for the Parliament session scheduled the next day.
In his post, Rai tagged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while sharing screenshots showing his unsuccessful attempts to reach traffic police officials over the phone. “None of them picked up my call,” he wrote, adding that he could not spot a single policeman in the area during the prolonged traffic halt.
He further said, “These inefficient officers are enough to spoil the name and charm of this beautiful city. No doubt now Bengaluru traffic has earned the reputation of most notorious traffic.”
Kendriya leadership tussle adds pressure on Congress
The Congress government, already grappling with internal friction between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, now finds itself facing criticism from an unexpected corner — its ally in the opposition INDIA bloc.
While Bengaluru’s traffic woes have long been a target of public anger, Rai’s comments have amplified the political spotlight on an issue that affects lakhs of commuters every day. His remarks come at a time when the ruling Congress leadership is dealing with questions about administrative coordination and infrastructure management in the state capital.
Authorities respond after social media escalation
Speaking to NDTV a day after his post drew attention online, Rai said that officials from Bengaluru contacted him and explained the reason behind the congestion. According to him, the authorities assured him they would address such issues more effectively.
Rai, however, used the opportunity to take a political swipe, stating, “Try putting out such a social media post in a BJP-ruled state, and an FIR will be filed against you.”
When asked about Bengaluru BJP MP Tejasvi Surya’s criticism of the ruling government over worsening traffic problems, Rai countered by saying, “Was the traffic problem solved when the BJP was in power earlier?” He maintained that Bengaluru remains a “beautiful city” but needs stronger traffic management systems.
Social media reacts: Support, sarcasm, and criticism
Rai’s post sparked a wide spectrum of reactions on X, ranging from support to sharp sarcasm. Several users pointed out the irony of a politician experiencing the same daily struggles faced by ordinary citizens.
One user wrote, “So, tell us how it feels to get stuck in the traffic like a common man?” Another commented, “A politician complaining on Twitter about problems that are outside their jurisdiction… peak irony.”
Others questioned why Rai expected traffic police to answer his calls or provide escorts, with one user stating, “All politicians must be denied police escorts and must be made to suffer like the common man; only then things will change.”
Some also urged Rai to raise the issue of Bengaluru’s traffic crisis in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, arguing that the matter deserved national attention due to the city’s economic significance as India’s tech hub.
Amid these reactions, a recurring theme emerged: the egalitarian nature of Bengaluru’s traffic. As one commenter put it, “One thing we should love about Bengaluru’s traffic is that it treats everyone equally.”
Political undercurrents and ongoing frustration
While many users highlighted administrative shortcomings, others implied that no meaningful progress could be expected while the Congress leadership remained embroiled in internal power struggles. “Nothing can be done as Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar are busy fighting over who will lead Karnataka,” one user wrote.
Bengaluru’s traffic has been a long-standing challenge with no quick solutions in sight. With rapid urban growth, insufficient road infrastructure, increasing private vehicle ownership, and delayed transport projects, mobility in the city has continued to deteriorate, leading to frustration among residents, commuters, and now national-level politicians.
Conclusion
Rai’s public outburst has once again underscored Bengaluru’s worsening mobility crisis — an issue that transcends political lines and affects millions daily. As the state government attempts to balance infrastructure development with political stability, the pressure to provide lasting solutions to the city’s notorious traffic bottlenecks continues to grow.