BENGALURU: The suspension of cab aggregator Ola’s licence in Karnataka for six months has fuelled a debate on social media. While some suspect the move is aimed at arm-twisting companies to pay up ahead of elections, others argue that letting the cab aggregator go scot-free is not acceptable.A day after the JD(S)-led coalition government suspended Ola’s licence for operating bike taxis, #JDSJawabDo (give answers) began trending on Twitter on Saturday. Some auto and taxi drivers associated with the company posted videos saying their livelihood would be affected.Twitter user Sriya Saran said most drivers for Ola come from Hassan, Tumakuru and Mandya, and asked why the government was denying them a livelihood, given that the areas are JD(S) strongholds.Interestingly, Nikhil Kumaraswamy, the son of chief minister HD Kumaraswamy is contesting from Mandya. Transport minister DC Thammanna is a close relative of JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda. And the opposition seems to be trying to use the Ola ban as an election issue.Responding to social welfare minister Priyank Kharge’s tweet that he will interact with the CM and deputy CM, Shash tweeted: “Talking to the government and resolving this is secondary. How did your government allow them to violate law and why ban and revoking ban is happening during elections (sic).”However, some justified the department’s move. Shilpa Anand tweeted: “Ola ran an illegal, unlicensed commercial, public transport service. Astonished that some want authorities to condone it because the penalty-suspension of service is going to be inconvenient.” Tanveer Pasha, JD(S) transport wing leader, agreed. “We from all unions and drivers have welcomed the decision taken by the transport dept. If companies are not following the rules set by the govt then they have to face the consequences (sic).”TWITTER FRENZYSourabh (@calmwala): “What pathetic decision in the election season by the Karnataka government to ban Ola. Is there a political patronage angle here? The bike taxi was an experiment. Why penalize the whole Ola network?”Dunuma Sanghamitra (@Cute_Sangham): “After strikes in many cities sponsored by politicians, now govt has simply taken out Ola network in Bangalore. Who is listening to consumers ? Is JDS-Congress government falling short of money for election campaign? Trying to extort a well-funded start up?Rishabh Arora (@elaror007): “Revoking such a licence is going to impact thousands of Ola users in namma Bengaluru.. not a good sign. Already Uber rates are higher than Ola’s... and now because of demand, they are going to keep rising.”

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