Bengaluru’s civic woes seem to be worsening with each passing year, and at the heart of the issue is the long-pending Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Council election. For four years now, the absence of a democratically elected body has left residents struggling to deal with recurring problems such as pothole-riddled roads, waterlogging, and severe flooding during rains.
The BBMP Council’s term officially ended in September 2020, but the elections have been repeatedly delayed, causing a growing sense of frustration among Bengaluru’s citizens. Without local representatives to address these mounting civic issues, there is a vacuum of accountability. Citizens now demand an immediate election, pointing to the dire need for elected corporators to take charge of solving local problems.
Four Years of Delays: Blame Game Between BJP and Congress
The political back-and-forth surrounding the BBMP elections has only added to the public’s frustration. During the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) tenure in Karnataka, elections were delayed due to legal and technical issues. The Congress, now in power, has also stalled the elections, citing plans to split the BBMP for better governance.
Amaresh, Managing Trustee of the RTI Study Centre, has pointed out the irony, stating, “Congress leaders blamed the BJP for delaying the elections, calling it a murder of democracy. What’s stopping them now? They’re the ones in power.”
Mohan Dasari, Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) State Organizing Secretary, has said that the delay is a major setback for residents. “Corporators are accessible, and they can address local issues directly. Ordinary citizens can’t go to the MLA’s office or residence. The delay is benefiting the MLAs who want to control the funds without sharing them with corporators.”
Former Mayor PR Ramesh, meanwhile, emphasised that while the BJP delayed the elections, it’s now Congress’ responsibility to ensure they happen. “The Congress government must overcome challenges and hold the elections soon,” he added.
Civic Woes Pile Up: Citizens Bear the Brunt
As the delay drags on, Bengaluru residents are the ones suffering the consequences. Local representatives who once worked on the ground to resolve issues are absent, leaving citizens with no one to turn to for everyday problems.
“We haven’t had a corporation for four years now. There’s no one to address our complaints. The BBMP head office or the MLA’s office isn’t where we can go with our day-to-day grievances,” said Mohan Kumar, a resident of Halasuru.
Former Congress corporator Shivaraju M. even filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking an order to hold elections. “Strengthening the local body is crucial to addressing civic problems swiftly. The elections must be held as soon as possible.”
Potholes, Flooding, and Civic Neglect During Heavy Rains
Bengaluru’s infamous monsoon-related problems have worsened over the last few years. In the latest round of heavy rains, several areas of the city were once again submerged in water. Citizens waded through flooded roads, homes were inundated, and traffic snarls became the norm.
According to BBMP’s own data, rainwater entered 142 houses, and the civic body had to clear fallen trees in 52 locations. In areas like Horamavu and Kendriya Vihar in Yelahanka, residents have been dealing with severe flooding for years. Neelufar Ahmad, a resident whose home was repeatedly flooded, said, “Despite visits from the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, nothing has changed. The situation worsens with every rain, and many residents have been forced to move out.”
The flooding isn’t limited to residential areas. Many key roads, including those inside tech parks like Manyata, turn into virtual rivers after even moderate rainfall. Recently, a school bus was stuck on the flooded Belagere Road, forcing locals to rescue the children by hiring a tractor. The daily commute is made unbearable as several arterial roads, such as those in Mahadevapura and Yelahanka, get submerged under inches of water.
Roads in North Bengaluru, including Bellary Road and Doddaballapur Road, were flooded, leaving motorists stuck for hours. Hebbal flyover, one of the city’s busiest stretches, saw traffic move at a snail’s pace throughout the day.
Accountability in Question: Who’s Responsible?
The absence of elected corporators has raised questions about accountability. Citizens complain that civic officials are unresponsive, and without elected representatives, it’s hard to get grievances addressed. Potholes go unrepaired, drains remain clogged, and local infrastructure deteriorates further with each passing day.
The BBMP, along with the disaster management staff, continues to react after the fact, but the recurring nature of these problems speaks to a larger issue of governance. A lack of long-term planning and execution exacerbates these civic woes. Even when potholes are patched or drains unclogged, the work is temporary and superficial, leaving residents to face the same issues year after year.
The Call for Elections Grows Louder
As rains lash Bengaluru once again and citizens continue to suffer from a lack of civic infrastructure, the call for BBMP Council elections grows louder. Bengaluru’s residents are demanding accountability, action, and a return to local governance to address their issues in real-time. Without elected representatives to oversee and implement solutions, the city’s problems are only expected to worsen.
The delay in holding elections is no longer just a political issue—it’s a matter of civic survival for the city’s 12 million residents.
(With Inputs from X (formerly Twitter) and Media Reports)
