Rowdy-sheeters too bask under poll sun

Endless traffic snarls and polluted air. How did Bengaluru -once famed for its pleasant weather, tree-lined avenues and clean streets -become such a mess?It's a question that often crosses our mind as we walk or drive to work. The Times of India brought six civic and urban experts together and asked them these questions: What ails Bengaluru? How did we get in to this mess? What can we do to resolve it? Urban experts, citizen activists and doctors spent a couple of hours debating problems and possible solu tions. While the de bate often grew heated, all of them concurred that too many agencies were involved and government bodies were not lutions. While the debate often grew heated, all of them concurred that too many agencies were involved and government bodies were not consulting one another. Streamlining governance with the use of technology is the key.“No one has drawn up a blueprint of how BBMP should be functioning,“ said urban planner H S Sudhira. Perhaps poll season rings in the best tidings for anti-social elements. Despite strictures on giving tickets to those facing criminal charges, there are at least a dozen such candidates contesting the BBMP election.“We have no say in the electoral process. The State Election Commission is empowered to eliminate those with criminal background.We keep watch on such persons on our list of rowdies to ensure they don't indulge in any unlawful activities,“ said police commissioner NS Megharikh.The most keenly contested election could be in the wards of Padarayanapura and Bapujinagar in Chamarajpet. The JD(S) candidates -father and son -face murder charges.Arif Pasha, for mer BBMP councillor, is contesting from Bapujinagar, and son Imran Pasha from Padarayanapura. The area simmers with vengeance and rivalry , with arch rival Altaf Khan fielding his wife Seema from Jagjeevanaramnagar ward, sandwiched between the two wards, resulting in a hyper campaign.The father and son duo are accused of murdering Altaf 's brothers Amjad and Ejaz in April 2004. They are on the list of rowdies in JJ Nagar police station, accused of attempt to murder and rioting, among others.Marimuthu, 67, known as the hooch queen among the older generations of Devarajeevanahalli and Kadugondanahalli, is also a JD(S) candidate. “How can the police treat me as a rowdy-sheeter at this age? The people of Old Bagalur in Sagayapuram ward respect me. There aren't any cases against me. Though my children are against my contesting elections, my people have urged me to represent them,“ she said.'If criminals are elected, how will Bengaluru run?' Freedom fighter and Gandhian H S Doreswamy expressed regret at candidates with criminal cases contesting BBMP poll. At a media meet on Friday, Doreswamy said, “Candidates from Bharthinagar, Bapujinagar and Shivaji-nagar have criminal charges against them. Marimuthu has been given the JD(S) ticket though she was held for selling illicit liquor 15 years ago, killing 229 people. If criminals are elected, how can our governing body function? Candidates are nominated not based on their ability but based on how much money they can invest.“