JOIN USBeleaguered MLA N A Haris, whose son is behind bars for a brutal assault on a diner at a Bengaluru pub, turned the opening of Church Street into a PR exercise on Thursday.
The Shanthinagar legislator's supporters marched in a procession and shouted slogans in his support. Busloads of people arrived as early as 8 am. They had been picked up from their neighbourhoods at 7 am. They held up posters praising 'Harisji'.
The influx of people blocked the busy road and caused traffic jams across many locations. Armed with flags, handbills, posters (read 'we are with N A Harisji' printed on it), badges and masks of Haris, Rahul Gandhi and chief minister Siddaramaiah, the crowd ruled the roost on the street.
Most had never been to Church Street before and didn't know what the event was all about. The crowd was mostly from Lakshman Rao Nagar in Ambedkar Nagar, Shanthinagar, Ashoknagar and Hombegowda Nagar (Wilson Garden).
A woman who works as a domestic help said, "This is the first time I am visiting this place. I have never come this side." By her estimate, about 2,000 people from her locality were at the event. "We just followed directions. We don't really know what is happening," said a resident of Ambedkar Nagar. Amurtharaj, 72, can barely walk. "I still thought I should come and support the Congress government," he says. A 19-year-old boy said, "My owner asked 15 of us to come here. We didn't know what we had come for."
Election gimmick
Citizens should be at the centre of the celebrations because it is their tax money that was used for the makeover, said Keerthi Rudresh, intellectual property attorney. "We see politicians hogging the limelight instead," she said.
Cost: Rs 14 cr
BBMP has spent Rs 14 crore to redo 750 metres of the road lined with pubs, bars and eateries. The stretch is friendly to pedestrians and cyclists
"It would be nice if politicians develop other roads also on similar lines," says Akshay Baradia, cafe owner.
Ashish Khanna, a professional, said the opening had turned into a political gimmick. "Politicians are promoting themselves," he said.
Litter everywhere
Church Street was littered with masks, flags and posters.
Blocked traffic
Homemaker Roopa Shankaran was heading from Halasuru to Forum Mall in Koramangala. "We were stuck near Cauvery Emporium for almost 45 minutes because of VIP movement. This is unfair," she said.
Sweet talk, khara bath
Supporters from various neighbourhoods were served kesari bath and khara bath before they were ferried to Church Street. Five huge LED screens and loudspeakers helped politicians make their speeches heard loud and clear.