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    BBMP dissolved but representatives keep in touch with voters

    Synopsis

    They have reasons for hope because the government is expected to come up with a fresh roster (category-wise reservation of wards).

    ET Bureau
    BENGALURU: With elections to the BBMP, Bengaluru's civic body, expected in July, former corporators have swung into action, and are working like true corporators hoping for another term.

    They have reasons for hope because the government is expected to come up with a fresh roster (category-wise reservation of wards).

    K Latha Narasimha Murthy, excorporator of HSR Layout, said: “People forward me their complaints on WhatsApp and email without knowing that the BBMP has been dissolved. I make sure that I attend to them. Officials have been cooperative.“ Having done a `women in leadership' programme from IIM-B and a master's degree in public administration, Latha is now pursuing an online course in metrics on smart city, and hopes to begin a project for neighbourhood development once reelected.

    While the ex-corporators claim that they are not running away from people and their problems even though they no longer are members of the BBMP Council, many appear to be more active than before to at tend to the citizens' complaints.

    “Who else will the citizens go to? MLAs are rarely accessible and government officials seldom attend to their complaints,“ said Geetha Vivekananda, BJP's ex-corporator for KR Puram (ward 52).She added that many officials have been asked not to interact with BJP corporators, and the state is claim ng the credit for the work she had done during her tenure. She be ieves that if the MLA was from the same party, it might have made a difference.

    It is the dedication to public service which keeps the corporators going, claimed BJP's NR Ramesh, ex-corporator of Yediyur ward, who is also a realtor. “I listen to citizens' grievances on Sundays and with my direct connections with some officials, try o take action on Monday itself.“

    During rains, most complaints were related to tree falls causing road blocks, drainage problems and garbage clearance. Kadugodi ex-corporator KN Anjaneya Reddy of the Congress gets complaints from the public as usual, and is looking after the ongoing road work with the cooperation of BJP MLA Aravind Limbavali.

    Not all are, however, enamoured of a BBMP role. Dr MS Shivaprasad, who had represented the Aramane Nagara (ward 35), has no plans to try for another BBMP term. He told ET that although he tries to solve citizens' problems as much as possible, it is difficult to make authorities listen to him as he is not in power. The orthopedic surgeon with the MS Ramaiah Memorial Hospital is now planning to go back to his career in medicine. “The BBMP hardly pays enough to cover our expenses as corporators. The environment is not favorable for ideal politics,“ he said.


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