Bangalore traffic is bad, ask the mayor

Bangalore traffic is bad, ask the mayor

Deputy mayor N Dayananda keeps BBMP boss waiting at a function to commemorate quit india movement

Anantha Subramanyam K Bangalore



Top bosses of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Monday got a taste of how the city's traffic causes delays – much to the embarrassment of mayor SK Nataraj who was trying to set a good example on punctuality for schoolchildren.
The BBMP had organised a programme to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the Quit India Movement at Mahatma Gandhi Park off MG Road. The mayor and deputy mayor N Dayananda were invited as the special guests of honour. With schoolchildren present at the event, Nataraj, who was in his mayoral cloak, decided to start the programme at 9am as scheduled.
But what turned out to be embarrassing for him was that his own deputy mayor, N Dayananda, was late for the event by 45 minutes. Nataraj, who did not want any awkward situation, decided to go ahead with the show without his deputy. He greeted the children, offered floral tributes to the Mahatma, and then joined them for a prayer service.
When everything was just about done, Dayananda came rushing.
The media photographers present at the venue, who had already taken pictures of the mayor, forced him to do the inauguration once again, this time with Dayananda by his side. The mayor obliged despite the embarrassment. After the show, he ensured his young deputy did not feel guilty about the mix-up.
When DNA caught up with Dayananda later and asked him about the delay, he said: "I was stuck in traffic, so I reached late."
We empathise, Bangalore traffic can be cruel.