Bengaluru: Ten days after being sworn in, senior minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Saturday indicated that he will not assume charge of the Bengaluru development portfolio until Chief Minister DK Shivakumar grants him full control over the city's key planning agencies or offers an alternative portfolio.
Gowda's Stand on Portfolio Allocation
Gowda, who recently visited Delhi to seek intervention from the party high command, is reportedly unhappy that the CM retained direct control over the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA). While Gowda has been assigned the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), five city corporations, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), and Namma Metro, he believes that handling the city's development without its primary planning arms will cripple his ability to deliver results.
Emphasis on Accountability
Returning from Delhi, Gowda insisted that his stance is about accountability to the public, not a hunger for power. "I would like to state clearly that I don't have any disgruntlement. The CM and the party have given me the responsibility of looking after Bengaluru development. This is a difficult challenge. I don't see it as a power because this is a big responsibility amid huge expectations from the people of Bengaluru, as well as from the CM and the party," he added.
He emphasized that he will not log into work without absolute functional clarity. "If not, I will not be able to work as per expectations and won't be able to deliver results as expected. Because whenever I take up any responsibility, there is accountability in delivering results for the expectations placed by the people and the party," Gowda added.
Background and Implications
The development portfolio for Bengaluru is considered one of the most challenging in the state cabinet, given the city's rapid growth and infrastructure demands. Gowda's insistence on full control over BDA and BMRDA underscores the critical role these agencies play in urban planning and development. Without them, his ability to implement key projects and address civic issues may be severely limited.
The standoff between Gowda and Shivakumar could lead to a reshuffle of portfolios or further negotiations within the party. Observers note that Gowda's move is also a test of the CM's willingness to delegate authority, especially in a city that is a political and economic powerhouse.
