Top BBMP officials shunted out?

Engineer-in-Chief A K Gopalaswamy is learnt to have been sent on “indefinite” leave by the Government immediately after the tender process fiasco emerged. The Opposition parties had brought to fore the midnight tender awarding process by the BBMP officials for projects worth Rs 3,428 crore two days before the model code of conduct for the Palike elections came into effect.

According to the Palike sources, the Engineering division has been witnessing a tussle over the past few months between Gopalaswamy and Chief Engineer (Major Roads), Chikkarayappa. Sources said, Gopalaswamy was unhappy with Chikkarayappa for not taking him into confidence before taking any decision.

On January 13 and 14, the officers were finalising the files in Chikkarayappa’s chamber without bringing the matter into the notice of Gopalaswamy. Sources said JD(S) and Congress activists came to know about the awarding of tenders stealthily and demonstrated outside the BBMP office. The Palike office has been abuzz since then that Gopalaswamy passed on information to the Opposition leaders.
It is also learnt that Gopalswamy has been given an ultimatum to accept a demotion and become the Chief Engineer (Projects). If he rejects the offer, he will be left with the option of seeking voluntary retirement.

Before Gopalaswamy could vacate the post, a race has begun to grab the post of Engineer-in-Chief. It was learnt that there are two contenders for the post - Devraj, Chief Engineer (Market), and B T Ramesh, Chief Engineer (West).

Rumours are rife that one more casualty to the “midnight” tender fiasco has been Chief Accounts Officer, Mulage who has also been asked to return to parent department. With the top boss, Bharatlal Meena also on leave, speculations is rife as to whether there would be a major reshuffle in the BBMP ranks before the rescheduled elections are held to the Palike.