The campaign for the Bengaluru Civic Elections has begun.
With familiar-sounding promises to clear out the garbage on streets, fix traffic jams, mend potholes and clean up filthy lakes, aspirants for the Bengaluru civic polls have jumped into the fray. Their first task at hand? Raise the offensive on opponents.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who came to power two years ago defeating the BJP that was getting increasingly unpopular, starts off with an attack on the party which controlled the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike or BBMP as the municipal corporation is known.
"It is the BJP which is responsible because they were in power for five years. State government's responsibility is there but as far as civic amenities and development of Bangalore city are concerned, it is the responsibility of the corporation," he said.
The Chief Minister insists that the elections will not be a referendum on his government and that his 'position is safe whatever the outcome'. The BJP however flings the responsibility right back.
"For the past two years the city is witnessing a continuous deterioration and unfortunately our CM Siddaramaiah never cared for the welfare of the citizens," said BJP leader Suresh Kumar.
"Our manifesto is to make Bangalore a safe developed city and a smart city in the real sense. All BBMP services can be reached through the mobile. The garbage issue, the traffic issue and pedestrian safety issue is main priority for us," he said.
The Janata Dal-Secular, yet to be seen as an urban party also promises to fix every problem if only given the chance. Party leader and former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy said, "If Bangaloreans give full power to JD-S, we are going to solve all the problems. The main issue for us is the construction of five lakh houses in next five years."