Words are strong, but will is weak

Banners plaguing city during festive season despite BBMP boss ridiculing colleages for cheap PR initiative

Banners plaguing city during festive season despite BBMP boss ridiculing colleages for cheap PR initiative

At the recent BBMP council meeting, representatives ranted on for hours about curbing the nuisance caused by banners and posters mushrooming up during the festive season and causing a mess and increasing garbage inflow.


Law breakers? Corporator M Gopi, seen in a poster at BBMP gate,
wishes people on the eve of Ramzan and Ganeshotsav. Pic/Ramesh H S

Even after being ridiculed by BBMP Commissioner H Siddhaiah for allowing their supporters to paste posters and banners across their respective wards, the councilors had others to blame. A reality check conducted by MiD DAY at the corporation main office revealed that it is decked up with myriad posters, both political and festive. Posters of almost every councilor and elected political leader beaming their best smile, gaze down at the people along with wishes for seasonal festivals.

Ridiculing the councilors, BBMP Commissioner H Siddhaiah said recently, "We all accuse the film industry for putting up posters to promote their respective films, but ask yourself how many of you keep wishing your ward for festivals. Leaders even put up posters on their birthdays."

However, barely a day later, the BBMP head office was plastered with over 20 posters. When questioned about this hypocrisy, the commissioner said, "We have asked the advertisement department to look into the matter and remove those posters at the earliest."

Meanwhile, the blame baton did the rounds as usual and this time round the opposition is being suspected to be behind the mischief to show the ruling party in a bad light. However, the blame was thrown back into the BBMP court quite quickly.

"We generally do not subscribe to such publicity stunts. Opponents in our respective wards may have taken the opportunity to defame us," said Uday Shankar opposition leader in the council. This reporter then questioned M Gopi, who represents ward under which the corporation head office falls (Sampangiram Nagar), where several posters are plastered all over the area.

He said, "I have instructed all my followers not to put up any posters in the area as it increases garbage inflow." Opposition leader from JD(S), Padmanabha Reddy also remained mum when questioned about these instances.