When CM & MLAs tumbled down

When CM & MLAs tumbled down
The Times of India

Bangalore: With a swift, forceful tug some 10 men lunged high, heave-ho, 20 feet from the ground and the CM came tumbling down. As did the former PM, the ruling mayor, all the MLAs, to say nothing of corporators.

11 pm. Friday. When the city embarked on its weekend indulgence, the BMP, had set for itself a tall task, literally.

Removal of thousands of posters, banners, buntings and related paraphernalia sticking out like sore ogres. Specifically the political ones. The spell of rain acted as a dampener initially but nothing could stop the dozens of JCBs, electric ladders, well-equipped gang-men from ripping off that ‘Happy Birthday’ or ‘Deepavali Greetings’ or ‘Id-ulfitr to residents of Shivajinagar.’

The operation, maintains BMP, had to be done covertly, because of the political ramifications. Despite the secrecy, at Jogupalya ward and at Richmond Town, a mob insisted on retaining the posters.

“Do you know I have spent Rs 20,000 on this poster?” said a man, reeking of alcohol, pointing to a poster of a minister, corporators and relatives. “Too bad you didn’t take BMP’s permission,” explained the supervising engineer. “Why don’t you remove the huge hoarding of this jeans on Queen’s Road, Airport Road?” persisted the man. “He’s paid Rs 1 lakh for the hoarding.” “I’m very close to the minister, let this be.” Before the issue threatened to blow out of proportion, the team left the place and decided to return hours later.

At Shivajinagar, which turned out to be the worst affected, the team had to wait beyond 2 am for the crowds to dissipate.

For the record, the BMP had issued warning notices to political factions a month ago, asking them to clean up their act.

Explains Bangalore Mahanagara Palike commissioner K Jothiramalingam, “This is only the beginning. Who ever wants to put up posters has to get permission.”