It’s Raining Blows and Blame at BBMP

BANGALORE: Congress councillors raised a hue and cry at the BBMP council meeting on Friday,  demanding action against BJP’s N R Ramesh who had allegedly assaulted T V Prabhu of Congress.

The two had got embroiled in a fist fight, allegedly over a land issue, at the Joint Commissioner’s office (BBMP, South) in Jayanagar II Block on Wednesday.

After heated exchanges between members of both parties, Friday’s meeting was adjourned without any issues being discussed.

Congress members alleged that Yediyur ward councillor Ramesh assaulted former corporator Prabhu in connection with a case of land irregularities, leaving him injured in the hand.

Despite Mayor B S Sathyanarayana’s repeated assurances on chairing a meeting in this regard on  August 30, the Congress representatives continued their tirade.

They demanded stringent action against Ramesh and his accomplices. Left with no choice, Sathyanarayana adjourned the meeting.

The Case in Point

In June this year, Ramesh had alleged that Prabhu and Chikpet MLA R V Devaraj usurped a BBMP property at a prime location in the city.

Ramesh had also filed a case with the Lokayukta and the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force, who directed BBMP Commissioner M Lakshminarayana to prepare a report on the allegations. Lakshminarayana had, in turn, directed the Joint Commissioner (south) to prepare the report after speaking to both parties.

Ramesh told Express that there was a “first and final hearing” in this regard on Wednesday at the Joint Commissioner’s office. “I was in a hurry and I provided the necessary documents. However, Prabhu, who was also present, abused and pushed me and I lost my footing and fell down. He was also injured when the attendants present tried to pull him away  from me. I was in no way responsible,” Ramesh maintained.

Speaking to Express, Reddy said the Mayor should not have adjourned the meeting but allowed a debate on the issue.