Bengaluru: The mess created by the BJP in Bengaluru when it was in power in BBMP, will be the focus of the Congress party’s campaign in the next one week. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while addressing a meeting of party candidates, said: “Whatever happened in BBMP, the BJP is responsible. We never said we would divide the city. We only said for the benefit of administration, we would decentralise administration. They could not even provide water to areas added to the city,” he said.
KPCC president Dr G. Parameshwar said party workers should highlight the scams committed by BJP, be it the night tender scam or the burning of files. “They (BJP) have not constructed even one flyover in the last five years. We should convey this to every voter,” he said. He also called on rebels to withdraw and work for the party.
Taking a cue from the rival BJP, Congress candidates contesting the polls took an oath pledging to implement the 74th Constitutional amendment in letter and spirit. “We will constitute ward committees and will implement all programmes with local participation,” they promised before party leaders.
Mr Siddaramaiah took a dig at Union ministers from Karnataka for their failure to get the Smart City tag for Bengaluru and said Mr Venkaiah Naidu, who is urban development minister, failed to get the project though he was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka.
Former Mandya MP Ms Ramya too turned up at the meeting. Congress candidates were seen taking selfies with Ms Ramya who later told reporters that she would campaign for party candidates from Saturday.
JD(S) woos techies, promises WiFi, signal-free roads
The JD(S), known for its pro-rural image, has gone in for a makeover and tried to touch all walks of life in its manifesto for the BBMP elections with leaders suggesting that the party cadre try to influence migrant techies during their campaign.
The manifesto assures poor living in houses less than 600 sqft a tax exemption, low-cost canteens on the lines of Amma canteens in Chennai, digital connectivity through WiFi for techies, better dedicated road connectivity through dedicated elevated roads for two and three-wheelers constructed on drains in the city.
Speaking to reporters after party MLA B.Z. Zameer Ahamed Khan released the manifesto, party president H.D. Kumaraswamy said most of the budget promises made by Congress and BJP for Bengaluru city had been non-starters.
JD(S) national president H.D. Deve Gowda with a party candidate for BBMP elections during an election campaign in Bengaluru on Thursday (Photo: KPN)
“All that our party is looking at is decentralisation of administration in BBMP. Dividing Bengaluru into multiple parts will not help reduce problems. The major thrust should be on decentralisation of administration. The police, BWSSB and large infrastructure are still with the state government. But, there is so much of untapped revenue in BBMP, if JD(S) comes to power, we will rule it without financial assistance from the state government,'' he said.
Taking a dig at both the national parties for the garbage mess in Bengaluru, Mr Kumarswamy said that the problem started with plastic management. The JD(S) manifesto has promised to eradicate plastic from Bengaluru city itself, besides rebuilding Brand Bengaluru by focusing on its culture and charisma.
JD(S) manifesto makes big promises
- CONNECTIVITY: To construct 124 underpass in next five years to reduce road accidents
- Smooth flow of traffic in arterial roads
- Try and make important roads bi-directional from one way. Road widening will be limited to only 21 roads and widening notification for 98 roads will be cancelled
- Pedestrian cross for every 200 metres
- Maintenance of road by ward committee. Eight signal free corridors in Bengaluru
- DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY: Including IT leaders like Mr N.R. Narayanamurthy, Mr Azim Premji and Mr Ashok Soota in developing robust network connectivity and WiFi across Bengaluru city
- Try to promote Work From Home culture to ease congestion of roads
- CLEAN PROGRAMME: Segregation of solid waste at source
- Banning of plastic to ensure SWM is a smooth affair and declare Bengaluru plastic free
- LOWERING COST OF LIVING: Construction of five lakh low cost houses on available government
- Opening of low cost canteens
- Improving education standards in BBMP schools, so that the rush for private schools comes down
- Opening night shelters for destitutes
- Waiving property tax for houses constructed in area less than 600 sq ft
- SUPPORTING CULTURAL IDENTITY OF BENGALURU: Creating gardens in all areas of Bengaluru
- Bengaluru Habba will be celebrated for nine days to commemorate the birth anniversary of Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bengaluru
- A nine stage multiplex for vocal and visual arts on the lines of Sydney Opera
- Chitra Santhe in CKP will get more support
