Mangaluru: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a protest in Mangaluru on Wednesday, alleging anti-people policies and rampant corruption in the Mangaluru City Corporation.
The demonstration was organised in front of the civic body office under the leadership of the BJP’s Mangaluru City South and North units. Party workers gathered in large numbers, raising slogans against the state government and accusing the corporation of administrative failure.
Allegations of poor governance
BJP leaders claimed that corruption within the Mangaluru City Corporation has “crossed all limits” and that the administration has failed to address the needs of the public. Protesters alleged that civic authorities have been unresponsive to grievances, leading to growing frustration among residents.
Speaking at the protest, former mayor Premanand Shetty said that for the past one year, the corporation has effectively been under the control of officials, during which corruption has increased significantly.
He criticised the lack of accountability and alleged that the civic body has failed to respond to basic issues faced by citizens. He urged the government to prioritise the conduct of corporation elections to restore proper governance.
Demand for elections and accountability
The BJP leaders emphasised the need for immediate elections to the civic body, arguing that an elected council is essential for transparent and efficient administration.
They alleged that the delay in conducting elections is intentional and driven by political considerations. According to the party, the government fears a setback if polls are held in the current climate of public dissatisfaction.
The protest also saw participation from several senior leaders, including Rajesh Kottari, former MLC K. Monappa Bhandary, and former mayor Manoj Kumar Kodikal, among others.
Civic issues highlighted
During the protest, BJP leaders highlighted a range of civic issues affecting residents of Mangaluru. One of the primary concerns raised was the ongoing water shortage in several parts of the city, which they said has severely impacted daily life.
The leaders also pointed to difficulties faced by citizens regarding e-khata services, alleging inefficiencies and delays in the system. Additionally, they criticised what they described as “unscientific tax policies”, claiming these have placed an undue financial burden on the public.
According to the protesters, mismanagement within the corporation has worsened the situation, forcing people to take to the streets in protest.
Wider participation
Several party workers and local leaders were present at the demonstration, including Nithin Kumar, Divakar Pandeshwar, Jayanand Anchan, Ravishankar Mijar, Tilak Raj Krishnapur, Ramesh Kandettu, Nandan Mallya, Sandeep Pachhanadi, Shakila Kava, Poornima Rao, Arun G. Shet, and Jagadish Shetty.
The gathering reflected growing political mobilisation around civic issues in the city, with the BJP attempting to highlight governance concerns ahead of anticipated local body elections.
Conclusion
The protest by the BJP underscores rising political tensions in Mangaluru over civic administration and public service delivery. With demands for immediate elections and allegations of corruption gaining traction, the spotlight is now on the state government and the Mangaluru City Corporation to address these concerns.
As civic issues continue to affect daily life, the coming weeks may see further political action and increased public scrutiny of the administration.