I want a non-corrupt BBMP, hence I support BJP: MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar is exhorting Bengalureans to vote. He has published advertisements in leading newspapers, mentioning his support for the BJP candidates. He responded to a few quick questions from us.

He has been an opinion leader on social media, with good number of followers on Twitter. Being a techsavvy politician, he is the hot favourite among the online community. He has been asking people to come out and vote. And he has expressed his support to BJP in the BBMP election 2015. Citizen Matters sent a few questions to Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Rajyasabha MP from Bengaluru who also founded Namma Bengaluru Foundation that works in the area of civic involvement in the city. Here are the questions and Chandrasekhar’s answers.

Why are you putting in so much effort? We understand you are spending crores. What is the impact you expect?

I always put in a lot of effort when it comes to issues that are important to me. And Bengaluru is very very important to me‎. Changing governance and politics of Bengaluru is important to me.

The impact is that we get higher turnout, less apathy and better corporators who reflect the citizens desire for reforms transparency and accountability.

Are you supporting individual capable candidates? It is said many aspiring candidates don’t get tickets because of the “price” of tickets.

No, I am endorsing manifesto and party with credible leadership to tackle corruption. i.e. BJP.

Personally, what do you want to achieve yourself or make happen in Bengaluru?

I want as do millions of citizens – a city govt that is non corrupt, focuses on statutory planning for city, and creates institutional space for citizens/ RWAS to participate in planning and development of city.

Are you supporting any party this time, like you did during the national elections last year?

Yes the BJP. My appeal is enclosed.

Advertisement by Rajeev Chandrasekhar that exhorts people to vote for BJP. Pic courtesy: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Many of your banners exhorting citizens to vote, have quotes from Prime Minister Modi. What does it indicate/ symbolise?

It indicates the political and governance philosophy of Narendra Modi which is similar to mine. i.e city’s development is not to be driven by property developers but citizens.

People are very frustrated with the quality of candidates in many ward. That is also one reason people may stay away on poll day. What do you think of this?

Frustration is the easy way out. If you care for Bengaluru get involved pick the best party and cast your vote. Don’t use the age old cynical as excuse to go on a weekend holiday.

Compared to the last election, do you think the anti-corruption idea has any resonance at a ward level?

Research is showing that corruption is the Number One issue in the minds of voters and citizens. It’s what bothers them most about city government.

What do you think of chances of the newer/smaller parties like Loksatta? (AAP is not contesting, but there are some volunteers standing as independents)

I think their presence is deftly changing the discourse. As a result of my campaign, all three major parties have taken an oath of integrity.

How do you think citizens can be encouraged to engage with the system post elections?

Through media and though their RWAs. And if BJP wins, through their ward committees.

Not clear – ward committees are to be set up anyways, regardless of any party, not just BJP. So will these ward committees be nonpartisan and truly representative?

Ward committees have very rarely been set up or functioned. The ward committee commitment that I seek is to have RWA reps on those committees so that true citizen representation is enabled

Also, any thoughts on area sabhas?

Further division of wards into Neighbourhood Areas is possible as I had recommended in abides recommendation. But the main starting point is a truly representative Ward committee.

You are saying you want a city government that is not corrupt, and that you are supporting the BJP. The last term in BBMP saw so many scams – from midnight tender to fake garbage bills. What’s your take on this?

My ‘take” on BBMP corruption is this – urban local bodies like BBMP are often the worst examples of corruption and misgovernance. It’s time for deep reforms here and it requires political leadership with will and desire to do it. That explains my support to BJP despite the poor performance of BBMP in the past.

Related Articles

BBMP election 2015 – full list of candidates
BBMP Elections 2015: Special coverage by Citizen Matters
Less educated, but stinking rich: Will this be the new set of BBMP corporators?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Similar Story

Why the Tamil Nadu Urban Employment Scheme saw limited success in Chennai

While the scheme initially helped workers get jobs in Chennai and other urban centres, the implementation has been half-hearted at best.

Launched in 2022, the Tamil Nadu Urban Employment Scheme (TNUES) aims to provide employment opportunities to urban households through local public works at minimum wages. With this initiative, Tamil Nadu joined Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha and Jharkhand, which were implementing similar programmes, essentially extending MGNREGA to urban areas. Economists and urban development scholars have advocated these programmes, especially post the COVID-19 pandemic, as an important social safety net for the livelihood security of urban informal workers. In Tamil Nadu and other states, such schemes highlight the need and demand for social security measures. Implementation through urban local bodies This article delves into the implementation of…

Similar Story

Residents protest high charges for name change in Tambaram property tax records

The revised fees for name change in the property tax documents were not widely publicised by the Tambaram City Municipal Corporation.

In August/September this year, Chennai resident Rajiv attempted to update his name in the property tax records of his flat in Chromepet. The Tambaram City Municipal Corporation (TCMC) rejected his online application and asked him to file the papers offline. He was also told to pay Rs10,000 towards the charges for a name change. Finding this amount excessive, he brought the issue to the attention of the press. A local reporter investigated the matter and contacted the TCMC Commissioner, who allegedly disputed the high fees at first. However, after consulting officials, he later confirmed that such a fee is mandatory, per…