Meet the new mayor: While his colleagues flaunt expensive, imported cars, newly-elected Mayor B S Sathyanarayana prefers the humble two-wheeler.
One of the seniormost councillors in the BBMP, Sathyanarayana (56) has been coming to council meetings on the two-wheeler all these years. His son Sujay says Sathyanarayana had a Luna when he became a councillor for the first time in 1990.
“He got a Kinetic Honda in 1996 and few years ago we got a Honda Activa. We have a car, but still my father prefers the two-wheeler,” Sujay says.
Now, as Mayor, Sathyanarayana will have to follow protocol and commute in his official car. Even then, he says he will use the two-wheeler whenever possible. “I like my two-wheeler. It is very convenient,” he contends.
Improving roads and making them pothole-free is one of his foremost priorities.
“I know the problem faced by the two-wheeler riders. It is difficult to ride on roads with potholes. That is why I will take it up on priority,” he says. Sujay says the convenience is the major factor in favour of the two-wheeler.
“He can stop anywhere in the middle of the road to speak to the public. People in our ward are familiar with him riding two-wheeler.”
Sathyanarayana is often seen with another senior BJP councillor from Sunkenahalli ward, P N Sadashiva as pillion rider. Sadashiva says he knows Sathyanarayana since 1983.
“He stays in Thyagarajanagar and I stay in Gavipuram. Whenever there is council meeting, he comes to my house in his two-wheeler to pick me. After the meeting, he drops me back. This has been the practice for several years. We also go to BWSSB, BESCOM and Education departments on his two-wheeler for our ward-related works,” he explains.
Sadashiva says Sathyanarayana did not have a car all these years.
“Only six months back they brought a Maruti Swift. Sathyanarayana does not know how to drive the car nor does he have a driver. Whenever his son is free, he drives and drops his father,” he said.