The distribution of responsibilities within Karnataka’s newly expanded Cabinet remains unsettled more than a week after the swearing-in ceremony, with Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Bair Gowda refusing to take charge until the government defines the scope of his authority over key planning institutions in the city.
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Despite traveling to New Delhi to seek the intervention of the Congress high command and then holding discussions with Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Gowda returned without a final solution. The minister sought to take control of both the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA), arguing that the Bengaluru development portfolio could not function effectively without the agencies responsible for the city’s planning and growth.
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At present, Gowda is entrusted with the Greater Bengaluru Authority, the city’s five municipal corporations, the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), and Namma Metro. However, the BDA and BMRDA remain under the control of the Chief Minister.
Gowda said discussions with the Prime Minister addressed the outstanding issues but clarity is still awaited. “I convinced the prime minister about all the issues. He said the problem will be resolved. Everything will be clear in the next two days,” he said.
Gowda stressed that his position is rooted in accountability and not a power struggle. He said he was satisfied with overseeing the development of Bengaluru but believed the responsibility required complete functional clarity before he could start work.
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“I would like to clearly point out that I do not have any resentment. The Prime Minister and the party have entrusted me with the responsibility of looking after the development of Bengaluru. I do not consider it a power as this is a huge responsibility amidst huge expectations from the people,” he said. He added that assuming responsibility without the necessary institutional framework would make it impossible to meet public expectations.
These unresolved arrangements have provided the opposition with the opportunity to question the government’s handling of the Bengaluru administration.
Opposition Leader R Ashok said the Cabinet remains busy with internal negotiations while residents are suffering from civil problems after the recent rains. He accused Gowda of delaying his assumption of office because the BDA and BMRDA were not brought under his control and wondered whether the dispute was centered on these two agencies. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya also questioned the government’s approach, asking why ministers were appointed if they were not entrusted with full power.
