Committed to make Bengaluru Smart City: Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru: A car-free city? This figured in the ‘Vision Document’ released by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah here on Monday. Nearly a week after his party released a manifesto, the chief minister produced a 'Vision Document' on Monday, underlining how important this urban body election has become for Mr Siddaramaiah.
Facing flak for being anti-industry and anti-urban and for not doing enough for Bengaluru city, it's now his face that appears on the larger than life posters across the city! “We will take the city into the league of 50 best cities in the world,” Mr Siddaramaiah promised on Monday. The vote on Aug. 22 will tell whether Bengaluru has taken him at his word!
The Smartest City in the country-That’s what Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has in mind for Bengaluru. Campaigning for the BBMP polls in the city on Monday, the CM shrugged off the fact that the IT City had failed to make it to the Smart City list and said his government would provide adequate funds and ensure Bengaluru becomes the Smartest City in India.
One of the many posters of Siddaramaiah that has appeared in the city, ahead of BBMP polls on Saturday (Photo: R. Samuel)
Slamming Union ministers M. Venkaiah Naidu and H. N. Ananth Kumar for not been able to ensure Bengaluru a place in the Smart City list, Mr Siddaramaiah said Mr Naidu who had been winning Rajya Sabha elections continuously from the state and is Union urban development minister, should have fought for Bengaluru, but he did not.
“Apart from him, there are three MPs from Bengaluru city of whom two are influential cabinet ministers, they too did not fight for this cause. This itself is a classic example of the BJP's ‘commitment’ to fight for the welfare of the state or city. But nevertheless, I am committed to make Bengaluru a Smart City without any help from the Centre,” the CM declared.
He sensed a political wave is in favour of the Congress and said the party would win the BBMP on its own. “The Congress flag will fly high at the BBMP premises by this month end. My vision is similar to that of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru- Make Bengaluru a picture of the future,” the CM said.
