Flexes, banners sprout up on DyCM’s birthday

The Karnataka High Court’s order against flexes and banners notwithstanding, residents and commuters on Sankey Road were surprised to see huge banners wishing Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on his birthday.

On Sunday morning, banners and flexes were seen on Sankey Road near Golf Club, wishing the minister — who also holds the Bangalore Development portfolio — on his upcoming birthday on Monday.

Television channels were quick to take up the issue which had put the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in a spot in the high court last week.

After criticism and several complaints, BBMP officials in east zone removed the banners by Sunday evening. “There were two banners put up by the supporters of the minister. They included a banner on a skywalk. All of them were removed as per the directions of the commissioner,” sources in BBMP said.

Till Saturday evening, the civic body officials had removed close to 20,000 flexes and banners after being pulled up by the court. The BBMP commissioner has asked the joint commissioners of eight zones in the city to remove all unauthorised banners.

Sources close to Parameshwara said the minister was in Tumakuru and was unaware of the issue.

In a note to DH, Parameshwara said: “My family and I are yet to recover from the demise of my brother. I will not celebrate my birthday this year. I know that the good wishes of my beloved supporters are always with me. I hope you will understand and respect my request.”