Referendum results out tomorrow: Tara

BENGALURU: In between her work at Oracle Corporation, Tara Krishnaswamy takes off time to mobilize Bengalureans to fight issues ranging from gender bias to infrastructure. On Friday, she told TOI about the citizens' fight against the proposed steel flyover. A movement that grew exponentially in a very short time.
What is different about the Citizens for Bengaluru that its gathering much popularity in the city?
The last time this happened, a new party was born, took the city of Delhi by storm and is now gunning for gold elsewhere.Thereafter, the Cong ress par ty lost the throne, received a near-mortal blow, rendering it comatose. Fast forward to 2016. A spontaneous people's movement, the Citizens for Bengaluru, started as an initiative to protest against the monstrous Rs 1,719-crore steel flyover over a 6.7km relatively peaceful stretch of heritage Bengaluru.
For a city like Bengaluru, an agitation at this level seems rather unusual. Does this marks a huge change in Bengaluru's identity?
A citizen-led, 8,000-strong human chain links itself in solidarity, spontaneously and peacefully on Sunday morning.Chock-a-block from Chalukya to Mehkri Circle, sans organization. When the government disappointingly responds with an obdurate, ostrich-like stand, is it disbelief or hubris? Whichever it is, a new mantra has forged its steely self into the hearts and souls of the Citizens for Bengal uru.
The government is firm on going ahead with the flyover.
Where does your movement stand then?
A public referen dum is being sought from all corners of this city, wherein our volunteers are asking citizens to vote for or against the steel flyover. This Sunday, the results of the referendum will be out. The overwhelming magnitude of Beda, the anguish of citizens will unveil itself on October 23. A panel of experts will speak on the lack of due process in the strategy and design of this flyover and its Detailed Project Report.
We will also be holding a tree vigil for the 800-odd trees Bengaluru will lose if this project goes ahead, apart from a mass rally beyond the 8,000 citizens who came last week.
What message would the Citizens for Bengaluru convey to chief minister Siddaramaiah?
Dear Chief Minister, by obstinately refusing to engage with civil society, you create your monsters. Be it the steel flyover, or the Citizens for Bengaluru people's movement. Grant us our city and we will grant you peace.