Bengaluru: As the model code of conduct came to end with the Karnataka assembly election results rolling out, flex boards, banners and buntings have started cropping up across the city.
From Tuesday evening, party supporters were seen putting up flexes of their leaders, congratulating them for winning the elections. Over the past one month, since the model code of conduct kicked in, the Election Commission (EC) had directed the BBMP officials to ensure that no flexes or banners of any candidates or political parties were put up. Now, there are banners everywhere.
An employee at Star Printers in Domlur said, “For the last one month, we did not have any business because of the model of code of conduct. Now, we have orders lined up and we will print close to a 1,000 flexes and banners in the coming week. There are a number of orders from party supporters. There was a lull in the business, but we are sure that it will come back to normal. We also heard that there will be a permanent ban on these flexes and banners, as they are hazardous to the environment, so we will work till we make money.”
Santosh Kumar, a member of the Sadananda Nagar Resident Welfare Association, said, “All these days, our city looked beautiful without these flexes and banners. But as the election is over, we can see people gradually putting them up in every corner, spoiling the aesthetics of the city.”
He said, “We should move the court and get an order that no flex or banner is put up anywhere across the city, except for obituary messages, as they help those not aware of the death of a certain person and could visit the family to pay tributes. The BBMP’s temporary drives to remove these banners will not help in the long term. Only a court ruling can put a full-stop to this menace.”
A senior BBMP official said, “It is heard that several resident welfare associations will submit a letter to the BBMP commissioner and also approach the high court seeking a ban on these flexes and banners. The BBMP will also push forward to get a ban in place, as it is a menace to the city.”
