Bengaluru: Pressure seems to be mounting on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from Congress legislators of Bengaluru City to make city rounds a regular feature to fix the crumbling infrastructure with just two years left for the Assembly polls.
The last visit of the CM to various parts of the city was during the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) polls, that too under pressure from ruling party legislators to woo voters. Since then, Mr Siddaramaiah seems to have forgotten his promise to Bengalureans to undertake city rounds regularly to monitor ongoing projects as well as interact with citizens.
Bengaluru City has 28 Assembly constituencies with a population of over one crore and winning the maximum number of seats in the city is a must for any party which wants to come to power.
A couple of Congress legislators and a few ministers who interacted with Deccan Chronicle, felt the time has come for Mr Siddaramaiah to focus on development of Bengaluru which contributes nearly 50 per cent to 60 per cent of the state’s revenue. Besides, nearly one sixth of the state population resides in this city. Being a state capital, there was lot of expectation from the incumbent government to deliver the goods. The previous BJP government lost a majority of seats in Bengaluru as it failed to address the problems of garbage, bad roads, footpaths and the drainage system. Sources said that barring Mr S.M. Krishna, none of his successors had given an impetus to the development of the city, including Mr Siddaramaiah. Unable to handle the pressure, the CM appointed Mr K.J. George as Bengaluru City Development Minister by divesting him of the home portfolio with the hope of seeing a better Bengaluru. But things have gone from bad to worse when it comes to garbage and roads.
The Congress-JD(S) controlled BBMP has utterly failed to work to the expectations of Bengalureans due to corrupt bureaucrats and elected representatives. Residents are hitting the streets regularly demanding basic amenities. Unfortunately, the Bengaluru centric departments have become non-receptive to complaints. "It’s high time our government swung into action before people’s patience runs out".
Congress legislators felt that knowing how officials work, the CM must go on random visits to unscheduled areas instead of routes fixed by babus. Mr Siddaramaiah must have a free and frank discussion with representatives of various Residents Welfare Associations and ordinary citizens as they present the real facts. The CM's visit cannot be equated with the city rounds by the mayor or Minister K.J. George. Such an exercise will give a feeling that the present government is pro-active.
The CM must learn from Andhra Pradesh where development continues even if the party ruling the state changes, they added.
