Probe meeting between Cong leader Surjewala and BBMP officials: BJP urges Karnataka Governor

“While MPs elected from Karnataka, such as Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Rajeev Chandrashekar, or MPs such as Tejasvi Surya were not invited, Surjewala – who is an MP from some other state – was part of the meeting. If he is going to discuss issues such as the delimitation of wards, elections, reservation, and allocation for different wards, then why do we need elections? Why do we need elected representatives?” Ashok said.

“According to existing rules, even the Opposition leader cannot hold such meetings. Only ministers and officials are allowed to chair them. It appears that he (Surjewala) does not trust local Congress leaders. He has directly entered the field to turn Bengaluru into an ATM,” he added.

The BJP has urged the Governor to institute an inquiry into the incident.

The Congress, meanwhile, denied allegations that Surjewala chaired any meeting. Speaking to reporters in Tumakuru, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar – who was seen with Surjewala in the alleged meeting held Tuesday – said officials had come to take him on a round of Bengaluru roads to highlight traffic congestion issues. “There is no connection between Surjewala and officials. They had just come to take me. Surjewala did not hold a meeting with officials,” he said.