JOIN USChief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday did not rule out the possibility of Bengaluru witnessing another election soon in the wake the State Legislature recently approving the controversial bill for restructuring the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike.
Speaking to reporters after releasing the Congress manifesto for the BBMP polls, he defended his government’s move to pursue the controversial bill that seeks to establish two or more small corporations in place of the BBMP.
The government is not dividing Bengaluru. It is only restructuring the municipal area for efficient governance, he added.
To a specific question whether Bengaluru will face another election if the bill gets the President of India’s assent, he said: “It is an hypothetical question. The government will take an appropriate decision if such a situation arises.”
The Congress government intends to provide better facilities to the newly added areas of Bengaluru, especially the 110 villages. The BBMP has the potential to mobilise Rs 5,000 crore revenue per annum, but it is now collecting only Rs 1,500 crore. Restructuring and establishment of small corporations will enable providing better governance to people, he added.
Tickets to rowdies
Siddaramaiah strongly defended the party’s decision to give tickets to a number of rowdy sheeters and those with criminal background to contest the BBMP polls.
A person will not become a rowdy if he/she is facing some charges. Many BJP leaders, including B S Yeddyurappa, are facing serious charges. Yeddyurappa became an MP though an FIR was filed against him, he added.