BBMP polls: BJP promises a lot, but will rebels spoil show?

BENGALURU: With their sights set on a second term at the helm in BBMP, leaders of BJP are drawing up a host of promises to improve the quality of life in the capital, but some unsuccessful ticket aspirants could queer the pitch as they have decided to contest as independents in polls scheduled to be held on August 22.

According to sources in the city unit of BJP, the party would promise to utilise revenue generated only for infrastructure development and not divert funds for any other purpose. “If the city needs permanent solutions for infrastructure problems, we have to use entire revenue mobilised from various sources. Our manifesto will focus on this issue,” said a BJP senior leader.

To put an end to garbage problem, the party has decided to provide a permanent solution. It would use garbage to generate electricity for the city, the leader added. Another promise would be to eviction of encroachment of footpath and a facelift to footpaths across the city as uneven paths have claimed the lives of nearly 800 to 900 people over the last ten years, the leader added.

Meanwhile, the leaders have defended the first list of candidates. The state unit has maintained that while giving tickets, the party has considered winnablity and popularity of the candidates as critical criteria.

Due to change of reservation matrix, many former corporators have lost an opportunity to contest for a second term and therefore have shifted to nearby wards while some others have backed their spouses. A major problem, however, would be the rebellion by unsuccessful candidates who have announced their decision to contest as independents, according to sources.

Congress has too many aspirants

Faced with a problem of plenty—too many ticket aspirants for BBMP polls—the state unit of Congress has decided that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar would have the final word on selection of candidates with the process likely to be completed by Saturday.

With party general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Digvijay Singh, deciding to skip the process of selection of candidates because of ongoing session of parliament, a panel consisting of senior
ministers, Members of Parliament, Mr Siddaramaiah and Dr Parameshwar met in a resort on the outskirts of the city on Thursday to short-list the names of candidates for polls scheduled for August 22.