As another urban local body (ULB) election unfolds in Karnataka, MLAs seem eager to work on civic issues. Earlier this week, the numerous social media handles of Belagavi South MLA Abhay Patil were flooded with pictures of repair work taken up on the historical Congress Road in the city, all receiving a number of ‘likes’.
But few seemed to realise that repairing the city’s roads was the primary duty of the city corporation, not legislators. Mr. Patil is not the only one who is getting kudos for taking up civic issues; in fact, this has become a trend among MLAs in cities, and councillors are not too happy about it.
A week before the Assembly elections this year, Basappa Chikkaladinni, the Mayor of Belagavi, complained in front of the press that the then MLA Feroz Sait had taken over the powers of the city corporation and was not allowing councillors to work. Mr. Chikkaladinni, a Congress leader, then pledged support to the BJP candidate Benake as he was upset with Mr. Sait. Months on, Mr. Chikkaladinni is disappointed the system has not changed. “The MLA changed, but the situation has not,” he said.
According to councillors, MLAs are interfering in the day-to-day functioning of municipal bodies, and in the implementation of development and welfare schemes. They feel that though the law allows MLAs, MLCs and MPs to participate in meetings, they overstep their limits and interfere in the administration of local bodies, violating the principles of decentralisation of power.
However, MLAs argue that it is inevitable. “People come to us with civic problems and we have to help them. If we tell them to go to the councillor, we will be seen as avoiding our responsibilities and judged as being disinterested and lethargic. There is no way we can say no,” said Mr. Patil. “I understand the idea behind decentralisation of power, but my voters don’t.”
Viay Kumar Mangalwede, a senior councillor from Vijayapura, does not buy this argument. “They (legislators) have enough powers under the Constitution to help them develop their constituencies. They should not take over our roles,” he said.
A senior officer of the Urban Development Department clarified that though the MLAs are deemed to be members of urban local bodies under the Karnataka Municipalities Act, they do not have powers to override the bodies.
Inconvenient timing
Incumbent MPs and Lok Sabha ticket aspirants are worried about the impact the local body polls may have on their prospects. These polls are considered by parties and aspirants as opportunities to build a network of workers at the grassroots level. The councillors who get party patronage, including ticket and funds, are expected to work for the candidates nominated in the general elections. However, some leaders see the timing of the polls this year as a nuisance. “Each seat has several aspirants. If you get the party ticket for one of your supporters, the others are sure to be disappointed. They tend to work against you in the coming elections,” said an MP from North Karnataka.
It’s all relative
Meanwhile, senior leaders are using the urban local body polls as a grooming ground for their children and relatives for a bigger role in politics future. Relatives of Congress strongman Satish Jarkiholi, MP Prakash Hukkeri, MLAs Umesh Katti, Duryodhan Aihole, and MLC Mahantesh Kavatagimath are fighting the polls in various towns.
(With inputs from Girish Pattanshetty, Kumar Buradikatti and Firoz Rozindar)
