Contractor, Gundurao in BBMP scam: Ramesh

BENGALURU: Former leader of opposition at BBMP and BJP city unit president N.R. Ramesh has accused a contractor of amassing a fortune by swindling the BBMP, in connivance with KPCC working president Dinesh Gundurao.

Addressing reporters on Saturday, Ramesh said, “While we might have heard of many cases of rags to riches, here is another such story where a petticoat seller named Chandrappa, who a few years ago was selling his wares at Majestic bus stand, later became a contractor and now owns property worth over Rs 5,000 crore.”

The BJP leader alleged that Chandrappa was able to achieve all this by fooling the BBMP by claiming bogus bills and grabbing all tenders in Gandhinagar constituency, with the help of Mr Gundurao.

Ramesh said, "In 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, contract for hundreds of developmental works were bagged by Chandrappa with the help of Mr Gundurao, by flouting regular tender procedures. From 2010, till 2017, over Rs 425 crore have been granted by both state and central government for the developmental works at Gandhinagar."

BBMP Executive Engineer Palaksha, who was helping  Chandrappa bag the contract by flouting rules, was caught and he was to be transferred to his parent department. But Mr Gundurao used his influence to prevent the transfer, Ramesh alleged.

Even after CID officials directed BBMP to blacklist 32 contractors, including Chandrappa, civic officials did not do so owing to pressure exerted by Mr Gundurao, he added.

Ramesh even claimed that Chandrappa had in 2014-15 claimed bills of Rs 9.5 crore for works he had not done.

The BJP leader said he has already lodged complaint with Lokayukta and Anti Corruption Bureau against contractor Chandrappa and Mr Gundurao.