Bengaluru Development portfolio — the most coveted and contested

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An aerial view of high rise buildings, flats, and apartments in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: K BHAGYA PRAKASH

Being the economic engine of Karnataka and known as the Silicon Valley of India, Bengaluru is at the centre of affairs in the State. With mega infrastructure projects worth thousands of crores underway and unmatched exposure, even at the global level, the Bengaluru Development Ministry in the Karnataka Cabinet has turned into one of the most coveted portfolios in the State.

Expectedly, it has become contentious and is at the centre of political bickerings as the new cabinet is formed under Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

This time around, Mr. Shivakumar, who earlier held charge of Bengaluru Development as the Deputy Chief Minister, senior Bengaluru Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy, and Krishna Byre Gowda, a relatively younger minister known for his technocratic approach, have been wrangling for the portfolio and none seem to be happy with the situation.

While Mr. Reddy resigned as a minister over not getting Bengaluru Development Ministry, and later fell in line accepting the Water Resources portfolio, Mr. Shivakumar is learnt to have been keen on retaining it himself, but was nudged by the party high command to give to Mr. Byre Gowda. During the Ramalinga Reddy fiasco, he even said that the allocation of Bengaluru Development portfolio to Mr. Byre Gowda was the high command’s call.

Mr. Shivakumar seems to have extracted some solace by not allotting Mr. Byre Gowda Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA), two key planning authorities driving key infrastructure projects like Peripheral Ring Road, Hebbal short tunnel and Bidadi township.

For two weeks, Mr. Byre Gowda did not take charge of the portfolio arguing he was awaiting clarity on the responsibilities. He was averse to taking charge without BDA and BMRDA, as it would slice up responsibility and accountability for the city’s governance and adversely impac