Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Apr 6: Here is an example to show how publicity schemes meant to benefit political leaders heap sorrow on common people.

As part of his 'slum stay' programme apparently aimed at helping him to get first hand account of the problems and needs of slum dwellers, former chief minister and BJP leader, Yeddyurappa, had stayed in the house of Muniratna, an auto rickshaw driver, at Laxmanapuri slum in Gandhinagar. Just before the last year's assembly election, Yeddyurappa had stayed for one night in the 22'x12' house.

Muniratna's house comprises a room, a small hall, kitchen, bathroom, and Indian style toilet. Those who arranged for the former chief minister's stay here felt that it would be difficult for Yeddyurappa to use this Indian style toilet. They told the family about this problem, and soon built a toilet with western style commode in the place of Indian style toilet. BJP bore the cost of this modification.

After Yeddyurappa spent a night at Muniratna's home, he did not contact the people of the slum of his host. The family members soon found that the western style commode was highly uncomfortable for them. They therefore got the commode removed and got it replaced with Indian one, by spending Rs 15,000.

Indrani (64), who stays here with her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, said that she got injured when trying to use the western style commode. Therefore she reverted to the old style, and local BJP leaders paid only Rs 4,000 out of Rs 15,000 spent by her. Moreover, Yeddyurappa's visit has not mitigated the slum dwellers problems like drinking water, frequent power cuts, poor roads, etc. Muniratna's family got an additional problem relating to toilet after his visit.

BJP senior leaders however say that if the family approaches the BJP office, the entire cost would be reimbursed to it.