In a break with tradition, former Cong mayors plan to fight polls as importance of civic body is likely to grow
In a break with tradition, former Cong mayors plan to fight polls as importance of civic body is likely to grow
In a departure from time-honoured convention, many former mayors from the Congress like PR Ramesh, Ramachandrappa and Mumtaz Begum are believed to be planning to contest the next BBMP polls scheduled for February 21.
"The municipal wards in Bengaluru have increased from 100 to 198. No wonder, these leaders want to try their luck again. Moreover, in all probability the Mayor term will increase from one year to five years after the proposed amendment to the BMP act is brought in," said BJP leader MB Adinarayana, who is likely to contest from Hosahalli in Vijayanagar.u00a0
The government is also planning to introduce that mayors be directly elected by citizens.
These changes are expected to make the mayor more powerful politically.
The funds allocated by the centre as part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) aimed at developing metros like Bangalore that will be disbursed by the mayor has made leaders keener to contest the BBMP polls.
"The Mayor must be a visionary who can utilize funds efficiently. However, this is not the reason why I will contest if I contest. I have not decided if I will," said PR Ramesh.u00a0
"Many of the veterans who are planning to contest elections deserve to be MLAs. But, they have to wait at least for four years for the next assembly polls. And there is no guarantee that they would get tickets. Their political career will be over if they fail to get one. They need to become councillors if they want to be politically alive. This what we we are concerned about. However, it is the party high command that has to take a call on this," said Ramachandrappa.
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