In a first, at least four former mayors are contesting the upcoming BBMP polls
In a first, at least four former mayors are contesting the upcoming BBMP polls
Four former mayors are lining up to enter the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) council as ordinary members against convention a first, in the history of the municipality.
Nothing wrong
"As the convention goes, a mayor does not contest the council polls. But, there is nothing wrong in doing so. I am not sure at this point if I will contest but others are free to do so if they wish," said Ramchandrappa, a former mayor.
While Mumtaz Begum, K Narayanaswamy, and K Chandrashekar are almost certain to attempt a re-entry into the BBMP as councilors, P R Ramesh, who waged a lone legal battle against the civic polls, has already filed his nomination from the Visweswarapuram Ward.
"The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike has now become Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, with an increased area.u00a0 Hence, there is added responsibility for a councilor and I am happy to be there."
Mumtaz Begum, the last mayor in the council whose term ended in 2006, has no qualms about entering the fray aa a councilor.
"Congress is known for its discipline, and as a disciplined member, I will follow party's instructions. I think there's nothing wrong in becoming a councilor again. What should matter more is how we serve our people," she said.
Not her decision
Mumtaz, who is busy chalking out her strategy for the poll campaign from the Shivajinagar ward, added, "It all depends on the high command, if they ask me to contest, I will do so."
The Congress could not finalise the list of its candidates till late evening on Sunday. Monday, today, is incidentally the last date for filing nominations.
Usually, mayors look for a membership in the state Assembly, after their term ends as the council members. However, the former mayors are reportedly unwilling to wait for another three years before the Assembly elections. Moreover, they are not sure if they would be given tickets or win.
Only option
This is the reason K Chandrashekar, an ex-MLA from Basvanagudi, is gearing up for the BBMP polls. He was mayor in 2001, and lost the Assembly polls in 2008. "I'll let the party decide whom to field from the ward," said Chandrashekar.
"These former mayors want to be politically active and the BBMP polls are the only option before them, for now. It is better to be a councilor than to be a nobody," explained Venkateswar, State Secretary, Congress.
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