Bangalore:
Sources say the BJP-ruled Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike's (BBMP) will not present the city budget in the inauspicious month of Ashada that began on July 12 and will end on August 10.
Even as BJP leaders attribute the delay to the time required for formation of various committees, including the finance committee, party insiders say it is superstition that is behind the delay.
"Initially, the budget was to be presented in July after the formation of the finance committee. However, with the Ashada Masa approaching, the plans have changed," said a source in the BJP.
The Mayor has reportedly postponed the date of presenting the budget to August 10, when the Ashada Masa ends.
"Mayor SK Natraj does not want the BJP's first ever budget in the BBMP to bring ill-luck," explained a source in the BJP.
However, this has drawn flak from the Opposition, which is determined to fight for early presentation of the budget. "It's a shame," said M Nagraj, leader of Opposition in the BBMP.
"Being superstitious when you are running a city that is known as the Silicon Valley of India is ridiculous. We will raise this issue in the council meeting and see to it that the budget is presented at the earliest."
Ruling party members refuted charges that it was superstition that was delaying the budget.
"Finance committees used to have enough time to prepare the budget. This year, we are bogged down with several issues that have imposed time constraints on us," said PM Sadashiva, chairman, finance committee, BBMP.
"However, it is not the month of Ashada or the preference for any auspicious time that is behind the delay. I am not denying that we are delayed. We are working 16 hours and plan to present the budget as soon as possible," added Sadashiva.
Even as BJP leaders attribute the delay to the time required for formation of various committees, including the finance committee, party insiders say it is superstition that is behind the delay.
"Initially, the budget was to be presented in July after the formation of the finance committee. However, with the Ashada Masa approaching, the plans have changed," said a source in the BJP.
The Mayor has reportedly postponed the date of presenting the budget to August 10, when the Ashada Masa ends.
"Mayor SK Natraj does not want the BJP's first ever budget in the BBMP to bring ill-luck," explained a source in the BJP.
However, this has drawn flak from the Opposition, which is determined to fight for early presentation of the budget. "It's a shame," said M Nagraj, leader of Opposition in the BBMP.
"Being superstitious when you are running a city that is known as the Silicon Valley of India is ridiculous. We will raise this issue in the council meeting and see to it that the budget is presented at the earliest."
Ruling party members refuted charges that it was superstition that was delaying the budget.
"Finance committees used to have enough time to prepare the budget. This year, we are bogged down with several issues that have imposed time constraints on us," said PM Sadashiva, chairman, finance committee, BBMP.
"However, it is not the month of Ashada or the preference for any auspicious time that is behind the delay. I am not denying that we are delayed. We are working 16 hours and plan to present the budget as soon as possible," added Sadashiva.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
