Over 150 names included in plaques to mark Mehkri Circle

By Govind D.Belgaumkar

BANGALORE, AUG. 24. This one is sure to have been disagreeable to Enayatulla Mehkri -- who selflessly constructed a road for the people spending from his pocket --, if he were to be alive.

Four black granite plaques with the virtual who's who of Bangalore's politicians will soon grace ``an ideal location'' on the newly constructed underpass at the circle.

The four plaques with not less 150 names, which were exhibited during the recent inauguration of the Rs.15-crore underpass, are likely to be installed on one of the retaining walls of the underpass, according to sources.

Why the names of so many politicians? The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike sources, who wished to remain anonymous, point out that omission of any name could have led to unwanted controversy. To ensure that ``everything goes on without a hitch, it was decided to include names of all the politicians.''

It was decided that all those who are on the list of voters (those who can elect the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and other key office-holders) should be included. Though the five nominated councillors do not enjoy voting right, their names too were included to ``avoid rubbing them on the wrong side.''

The sources admitted that the criterion certainly was not contribution made by these ``VIPs'' in constructing the underpass.

Three of the four plaques -- each measuring 5 feet by 2.5 feet -- contain the names of all the councillors, 30 legislators, including 15 MLCs, and 11 MPs, including eight members of the Rajya Sabha.

Names of the City legislators, who are now ministers in the Krishna Cabinet, are repeated in the main plaque, which details the list of important dignitaries who occupied the dais on the day of the inauguration of the underpass. The names of the Mayor, Ms. Prema Cariappa, who presided over the function, and the special invites -- two Bangalore MPs, Union Minister, Mr. Ananthkumar, MLC, Mr. Ramachandregowda, the Deputy Mayor, the Chairman of a Standing Committee and the two local councillors -- are all repeated in this plaque. Their names also find place in the other three plaques.

Other names finding a place on this plaque are that of the Chief Minister, Mr. Krishna, who inaugurated the underpass, Mr. Jagadish Shettar, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Mr. K.H.Srinivas, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council. The names of a few officers of the Mahanagara Palike and the consultant find a place in a corner of the main plaque, albeit in small letters.

The plaques which need a huge space -- about 60 square feet -- would be installed soon, according to the Mahanagara Palike sources.

All this is in sharp contrast to the modest Late Enayatulla Mehkri who had also served as a councillor during pre- Independence era and was Vice-President of the erstwhile Civil Station Municipal Commission in late 1950s, but never made an effort to become ``immortal'' using such means.

Has any of the members listed on the plaques objected to it? ``Not to our knowledge,'' say the sources in the Mahanagara Palike. ``Who will oppose it? We would have received many calls had we omitted any name. We will not be surprised if there is a demand to erect a special pedestal to put up these plaques,'' the sources said.

However, the sources admitted, all the VIPs whose names were mentioned on these plaques had not been consulted before their names were included in the jumbo plaques. It had been presumed that none of them would oppose it.

Meanwhile, it is said that the Mahanagara Palike has spent over Rs.4.5 lakhs towards the inaugural function. This in addition to the lakhs of rupees the contractor of the underpass spent towards erection of the huge pandal and providing other paraphernalia, and lunch for the dignitaries attending the function, on August 16. All this at a time when the Government has its hands full dealing with the worst-ever drought in the State.

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Section  : Southern States
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