Bengaluru: The battle for Bengaluru has shifted to Delhi, as senior minister Krishna Byre Gowda (KBG) seeks clarity on his pared-down development portfolio. He has decided to meet party bosses to demand full control over Bengaluru's civic administration before taking charge of the high-profile department.
Current Power Structure
At present, Bengaluru's planning agencies, including the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), are under Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. This arrangement creates two power centers, with the CM having the final say on critical civic infrastructure projects.
KBG's Delhi Visit
KBG's trip to Delhi has raised serious concerns for the CM, who is already busy addressing discontent among ministers over their portfolios. KBG arrived in Delhi on Tuesday morning, a day ahead of the CM's scheduled visit. He is expected to meet Congress leader KC Venugopal and other senior party figures to push his case.
While Chief Minister's Office (CMO) officials suggest that AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge has stated that portfolio allocation is the CM's prerogative, sources close to KBG dismiss this as an eyewash.
Administrative Hurdles
Aides of KBG have highlighted the administrative challenges of a split power structure. For instance, if major issues arise along the Outer Ring Road, which falls under the BDA, who would be accountable to the Bengaluru development minister? Similarly, dozens of lakes managed by the BDA could face flooding during monsoon due to poor maintenance or encroachments, leaving the minister with no direct authority.
Online Campaigns
Supporters of Byregowda have launched online campaigns demanding complete control over Bengaluru's development for the minister.
CM Shivakumar's Schedule
On Wednesday, Shivakumar is scheduled to visit multiple Congress offices in Delhi and attend a dinner meeting with senior IAS officers at Karnataka Bhavan. The dinner is organized by about 40 Karnataka-cadre bureaucrats on central deputation.
On Thursday morning, Shivakumar is expected to attend the 11th governing council meeting of Niti Aayog. This will be the first such meeting attended by a Congress CM under the current central government, as Siddaramaiah had stayed away in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Other Legislators in Delhi
Along with KBG, several other legislators, including TB Jayachandra and Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad, are also camping in Delhi, eyeing cabinet berths in the expansion expected later this month.
