With hundreds of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) striking work to protest against Yediyur councillor N.R. Ramesh allegedly assaulting a Group D worker, the citizens’ services were hit on Thursday.
The BBMP Employees’ Union called off the strike after assurances from Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy and BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah. The union submitted a memorandum seeking action against the councillor to Mr. Murthy and Mr. Siddaiah.
Earlier in the day, angry protesters took out a procession and burnt an effigy of the councillor on the BBMP head office campus. With a majority of officials participating in the strike, most departments were locked and the BBMP office wore a deserted look.
On Wednesday, Mr. Ramesh allegedly slapped Group D worker E. Suresh five times. Mr. Suresh, who got a medical certificate from Victoria Hospital, filed a complaint against Mr. Ramesh with the Halasoor Gate police.
Union president Subramanyam claimed that the employees were working in a vitiated atmosphere. “Why should an elected representative assault an employee who is only discharging his duties?” he asked and urged Mr. Murthy to initiate action against Mr. Ramesh.
Addressing the employees, Mr. Murthy said that it would be best for BBMP if the staff and elected representatives worked in harmony. “I have never come across such an incident. I will invite Mr. Ramesh, Mr. Suresh and union members for a dialogue to settle the issue.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Siddaiah labelled the incident as “unsavoury”. “This does not augur well for the BBMP as it has created unnecessary bad blood. The truth will come out after the police investigation,” he said.
