The MLA who wouldn't get involved when Metro acquired a part of Lalbagh is now fighting tooth and claw to keep his family business standing
The MLA who wouldn't get involved when Metro acquired a part of Lalbagh is now fighting tooth and claw to keep his family business standing
BJP MLA Hemachandra Sagar wants the Metro Rail route to be diverted so that his nursing home on Vani Vilas Road can be saved.
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Sentimental value: The nursing home on Vani Vilas Road was built by Hemachandra's parents and is one of the earliest buildings in the area pics/Satish Badiger |
The legislator, who owns the Sagar Apollo chain of hospitals and Dayanad Sagar Group of educational institutions, maintained a thundering silence when there were protests against the Metro cutting across Lalbagh. And this, despite living a stone's throw from Lalbagh
But he is now using his political clout to protect his property and even threatening chief minister B S Yeddyurappa of resignation.
"It is disgusting that an MLA responsible for city development should be indulging in blackmail," said a minister. "But, the government will not budge."
Sentimental value
Sagar represents Chikpet and part of Basavanagudi, where the nursing home stands.
"Sagar's family is one of the oldest in South Bangalore," said a resident of the area. "We are shocked to see him moving earth and heaven to protect his own property when he did not participate in the protest to protect Lalbagh."
A source close to the family said Sagar was particular about the nursing home because of its sentimental value.
"It was built by his parents and is one of the earliest buildings they built in the area apart from their old house near Ashoka Pillar."
'Come to terms'
Though Sagar was abroad and not available for comment, his secretary said: "We are not against the Metro Rail alignment but we are interested in protecting the greenery and heritage of the place. We had asked them to explore the possibility of having an underground rail, but when we realised that it was not possible, we have come to terms with it."
But, Sagar is reportedly still exerting pressure. In fact, he was away abroad in protest when he should have been overseeing arrangements for theu00a0 government's first anniversary celebrations on May 31 at National College grounds in his constituency. Though he returned on Friday night and presided over the function the next day, he's still sulking.
When contacted, N Sivasailam, managing director, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, said, "Sagar has given a representation to change the alignment but there's no way we can oblige. And the acquisition process has already been completed."
However, the work has been halted because of the court stay order.u00a0
Sagar is believed to be taking advantage of the time gap and bargaining hard with the government.
