Deepavali truce? Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw visits Karnataka DCM D.K. Shivakumar at his residence

In what seems to be a sign of truce after a long war of words, industrialist and Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw visited Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar at his residence in Sadashiva Nagar on Tuesday (October 21, 2025). 

“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,” read a post on Mr. Shivakumar’s X handle. 

The meeting has turned heads given that it comes after a bitter exchange between Ms. Shaw and Mr. Shivakumar after the former’s criticism on the poor state of infrastructure in Bengaluru. 

Social media sparring

The exchange started with Ms. Shaw, on Monday (October 13), criticising the abysmal infrastructure in the city on her X handle. 

“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 Govt 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?’” it read. 

The comment drew sharp reactions from several Ministers, including IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge, and Industries Minister M.B. Patil. Mr. Shivakumar, however, took a conciliatory tone urging to “build the city together, instead of tearing it down.” 

The conversation, however, soon turned political with several Congrees ministers and functionaries questioning Ms. Shaw over her silence on ‘GST issues.’ 

Responding to this, on October 15, Ms. Shaw wrote on X, “We are in this dire situation because of past Govts failure to act in time. This Government has the opportunity to change this n act fast to fix these decades of deteriorating infrastructure n garbage management (sic).” 

Infuriated by this, Mr. Shivakumar alleged that Ms. Shaw was tarnishing the image of the State and the country by such social media posts.  

“Where was she for the last 25 years? Bengaluru has made the highest contribution to her growth. Those who criticise must remember how much of land the government has given to them to establish their business in Bengaluru,” he said speaking to reporters on Wednesday (October 15, 2025). 

Ms. Shaw also met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and wished him on the occasion of Deepavali.