Borough system stirs trouble

Vokkaligara Sangha objects saying it demeans Kempe Gowda’s vision

The government's move to split the administration of Bangalore into London-styled boroughs is running into trouble with the Vokkaliga community opposing it. The powerful Vokkaligara Sangha has shot off a letter to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) demanding that the proposal be dropped. It sees the move to embrace the borough system as demeaning to the city's founder Kempe Gowda, considered a community icon. Though the suggestion is to only divide the administration and not the city, the Sangha, along with other caste organisations, has objected. Read: Singapore passe, London calling

The proposal was initiated by Bangalore district in-charge minister Ramalinga Reddy, himself a Vokkaliga, on the lines of the London borough system. There are 67 Vokkaliga MLAs in the state Assembly and the opposition from the community organisation, seen as a powerful entity, could pose problems. Association president Appaji Gowda has also threatened a stir if its demand is not met.

Meanwhile, BBMP has called for a meeting, to be presided over by the Mayor on June 17, to discuss the proposal. After Reddy's proposal, some fringe Vokkaliga organisations like the Rajya Vokkaligara Okkuta opposed the move. But with the Vokkaligara Sangha throwing its weight, the matter has taken a casteist turn. Appaji Gowda told Bangalore Mirror, “Administrative issues cannot be cited to divide the city. Bangalore was formed by Kempe Gowda who did not visualise its division. Why should the state think along those lines?"

He added, “It is eight years since BBMP was formed after combining the CMCs (city municipal councils) and the lone TMC (town municipal council) with the then Bangalore Mahanagara Palike. After BBMP’s formation, eight zones were created and they are headed by joint commissioner-level officers. All of them are empowered to take up development activities. Officials should act and elected representatives should monitor. If this isn’t working, then the state has failed.”

Also see: BBMP divided on borough system

KEMPE GOWDA AND BANGALORE
A feudatory of the Vijayanagara Empire, Kempe Gowda is credited with founding the city of Bangalore in 1537. Though the area and surrounding regions were under various monarchies till then, the actual founding was at Gowda's initiative, after he built a mud fort and a city with facilities for various traders. The intersection of Chikkapete and Doddapete streets, known as Doddapete Square, formed the heart of Kempe Gowda’s Bangalore.
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