JD(S), Cong, BJP leaders spell out what they'll do for Bengaluru

Bengaluru, with as many as 28 assembly constituencies, is no doubt a major bone of contention between political parties. Known to choose between the Congress and the BJP, the IT city has this time rekindled the hopes among the regional party JD(S) as well. Focussing on the urban electorate, every party has come up with its own vision for the ‘Silicon Valley’ of the country. Amid their gruelling campaign, the leaders of three major political parties along with a prominent independent candidate came on a single platform — Karunada Kadana, organised by Vijaya Karnataka — a sister concern of BM, to spell out their plans for the city. Leaders, cutting across the party lines presented their vision for the Bengaluru ranging from decongesting the city to getting rid of choking pollution and burgeoning garbage crisis. The JD(S) leader has also confessed that its administration, along with the Congress, at BBMP has not been effective.

Ramesh Babu JDS
MLC, JDS spokesperson
We have been part of the administration at BBMP along with the Congress. But I must admit that we are not satisfied with the work carried out (by BBMP) so far. Though revenue mobilisation is on the right track, that money has not been spent properly. Most of the road works are riddled with allegations of corruption. Contractors are laying roads wherever they are not necessary. While reports indicate large-scale encroachment of government land, we have not been able to reclaim the encroached land and we are committed to pursuing it.


A comprehensive plan will be put in place to resolve the garbage crisis by converting the waste into compost. Even a brief rainfall results in inundation of areas, mostly due to poor maintenance of stormwater drains. All these works will be taken to logical end to make Bengaluru a robust and vibrant city.

Dinesh Gundu Rao Cong
KPCC working president and candidate from Gandhi Nagar
The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government has delivered on several fronts for the overall development of the city. On public transport, we have not only completed Metro Phase 1 work, but also working on a war-footing to complete the Phase 2 work. Bus connectivity has been provided till the last mile. For the first time in the country, electric vehicle policy has been brought out to bring down pollution level and encourage sustainable transport. Our projects of tenderSURE roads have also been designed to suit the purpose.

As Bengaluru is likely to run out of water in the next 15-20 years, we have been giving importance to judicious and reuse of water. We are working towards completion of 28 STPs to treat sewage. All lakes will be filled with treated water to increase the ground water table.

R Ashoka BJP
Former DYCM and BJP candidate from Padmanabha Nagar
Bengaluru’s development and BJP often go hand in hand. It was BJP that transformed a then small Bangalore Corporation into a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) by including villages abutting the city. It was our leader Atal Bihari Vajapayee who gave the city an international airport, Union minister Ananth Kumar paved way for the Metro services and during our tenure we ensured supply of Cauvery water to all parts of Bengaluru. We all know that Bengaluru is not a planned city but we are adjusting with it as per our requirements. We will work towards cleansing the city from pollutants and promote convenient public transport, identify alternative potable water sources. Encroached lands around Bengaluru will be reclaimed and maintained as open spaces with abundant green cover.

Ravikrishna Reddy Ind
Independent candidate from Jayanagar
Polls should always be fought on issues and I am happy that we have made a start in that direction. Today, the BBMP is perhaps the worst-managed body. There is no transparency in the system nor does it have any accountability. Common man is made to wait for months for even a simple task. What we need is bribe-free governance and I am committed to working towards that goal.

Transport mafia is behind worsening garbage crisis in the city and I will work towards to break that mafia and ensure that the waste generated in the city will be converted within the city. Education has also become an expensive affair with kids travelling almost 10 kms every day. Our objective is to make neighbourhood schools on a par with good schools. I will work towards making Bengaluru green and this will start from government buildings.