B'luru BJP MLAs, MPs meet CM, demand higher funds for city

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: A delegation of BJP legislators and MPs from Bengaluru on Friday met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and sought higher allocation of funds in the upcoming state budget for the city's development. The delegation led by party state BJP President B Y Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka asked for allocation of Rs 150 crore for each Assembly segment in the city. Relook into the Metro fare hike, allocation of funds for constituencies represented by first time MLAs, and holding of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) polls at the earliest are among the issues that were highlighted at the meeting.

Siddaramaiah who also holds the finance portfolio is scheduled to present the budget for 2025-26 on March 7, marking his 16th budget. "All our MLAs, MPs, MLCs and district unit presidents from Bengaluru met the Chief Minister and requested for more funds in the budget, funds to the legislators for the development of their constituencies, keeping in mind the development of Bengaluru," Vijayendra said. Speaking to reporters here after meeting the CM, he said, when BJP's B S Yediyurappa and Basavarj Bommai were Chief Ministers earlier Rs 6,000-8,000 crores were given to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for the development of Bengaluru in every budget. "No such allocations have been made for Bengaluru in the last two years, so we have requested Rs 6,000-8,000 crores for Bengaluru city in the budget," he said. Noting that infrastructure projects like flyovers and others are going on at a slow pace, the state BJP chief said, priority should be given for completion of such projects by allocating more funds for them.

He said, during the meeting, Bengaluru MPs PC Mohan and Tejasvi Surya suggested that the Chief Minister send necessary communication to the fare fixation committee to reduce the metro fare that was hiked recently. "Requests were made to the CM for enhanced allocation in the budget for Bengaluru's development and to the constituencies represented by first time MLAs. We have also requested that the BBMP polls should be held at the earliest ,"

he said, adding that the CM has responded positively and has assured that he will ensure allocation of funds within limitations. He claimed that Bengaluur had never faced such a plight. When the BJP was in power, allocations were made to constituencies irrespective of the party of MLAs who represent them, he said.