Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, May 31: “During the 30-month rule in the local city corporation, the BJP has miserably failed to serve the people. The administrative machinery has corroded and become ineffective. Hence, city mayor, Rajani Dugganna, should tender her resignation immediately,” demanded D K Ashok Kumar, leader of the opposition in the city council. He was addressing a press conference here on Sunday May 30.

He blamed the BJP for enforcing several anti-people measures like the introduction of self assessment property tax scheme, revising of water rate, delay in execution of road works etc. He alleged that the administration has come to a standstill since the last four days.

“Because of the internal squabbles between the engineers of the city corporation, the people have been unable to get anything done through them. The BJP lacks experience in handling such situations and also in giving an efficient administration. The situation has come to such a pass that the mayor and deputy mayor have been unable to do anything to improve the situation,” Kumar claimed.

He criticized the BJP for its inability to bring in people-friendly changes for the Comprehensive Development Plan of the city as promised. He accused the BJP of helping the builders to bring up multi-storied buildings, but at the same time, rejecting proposals being put up by poor people to build their houses. He said that the health department has not done anything to keep the storm drains in good condition or dispose off solid wastes, in preparation for the monsoon months. The concrete roads and drains in the city are in very bad condition, he said.

City corporators, Shashidhar Hegde, Harinath, Lancelot Pinto, Ashraf, Bhaskar Moily etc., were present at the press conference.