Bengaluru: With Assembly elections nearing, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has promoted his relative Mr K.A. Dayanand from KAS to IAS cadre and appointed him as Bangalore Urban Deputy Commissioner, though the officer was promoted just 12 days ago, alleged BJP city unit president and former leader of opposition at BBMP N.R. Ramesh, here on Wednesday. Mr Dayanand was earlier heading the Kannada and Culture Department.
As per rules, the Deputy Commissioner’s post cannot be given to a junior-level IAS officer. It is reserved for IAS cadre officials who have completed at least four years of their tenure. But it has been given to Mr Dayanand as he happens to be a close relative of the chief minister, Mr Ramesh said.
He alleged that Mr Shankar, who was the DC over the last four-and-a-half years, was also a close relative of Mr Siddaramaiah. He said that the latest move is aimed at using Mr Dayanand’s powers during the Assembly elections.
“This is nothing but a move to have a hold over the 28 Assembly constituencies in the city," Mr Ramesh said and added that complaint has been filed with the Election Commission to transfer Mr Dayanand to allow a free and fair election in the city.
