Bengaluru Report Cards Reveal Stark Contrasts in MP and MLA Performance: High Absenteeism, Unspent Funds, and Surging Wealth
Citizen-led initiative highlights transparency gaps, lack of urban governance push, and under-utilization of public funds
Bengaluru | 14 June 2025 — As Bengaluru’s Members of Parliament complete one year in the 18th Lok Sabha and its MLAs mark two years in the 16th Assembly, a new set of Citizens’ Report Cards, released by civic watchdog CIVIC Bangalore, presents a revealing snapshot of their performance—raising critical questions about accountability, governance, and the disconnect between elected representatives and the city’s urban challenges.
The report cards, compiled over six months by citizen volunteers and student interns using public data, evaluate the city’s four MPs and 32 MLAs across legislative participation, fund utilization, criminal backgrounds, and financial disclosures.
MP Performance: Attendance vs. Engagement
The report finds sharp disparities among Bengaluru’s MPs. P.C. Mohan leads with an attendance of 98.51%, while Tejasvi Surya lags at 77.61%, falling below the national average of 87%. However, Surya stood out in other areas, having raised 84 questions and participated in 13 debates, outperforming his peers.
In contrast, Mohan participated in only one debate, where he sought electric buses under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme via Lok Sabha Rule 377.
Regarding local area development (LAD) funds, Dr. C.N. Manjunath tops the list, having allocated ₹6.3 crore, while P.C. Mohan used just ₹47 lakh of the ₹5 crore available.
“This data challenges the assumption that high attendance translates into active engagement,” observed Kathyayini Chamaraj, Chairperson of CIVIC Bangalore.
MLAs: Alarming Trends in Inactivity and Unused Funds
On the legislative front, N. Shreenivasaiah of Nelamangala was the only MLA to record 100% attendance, though just 29% of MLAs attended more than 90% of the sessions. Priya Krishna registered the lowest attendance at 53.62%—in a House that met only 69 times in two years.
Shockingly, nearly a third (32%) of non-ministerial MLAs did not ask a single question. N.A. Haris of Shanthinagar raised 230 unstarred questions, while S. Muniraju of Dasarahalli asked seven starred questions, the highest among MLAs.
Despite the pressing need for urban reforms, none of the city’s MLAs or MPs introduced Private Member Bills to tackle Bengaluru’s governance issues—an omission CIVIC calls “a serious missed opportunity.”
“The 74th Constitutional Amendment remains unimplemented in spirit. Not a single legislator is using the platforms available to bring attention to this structural failure,” Chamaraj added.
Funds Lying Idle: ₹40 Crore Unspent
While LAD funds allocated to MPs roll over each year, MLA funds under the Karnataka Local Area Development Scheme (KLLADS) expire after two years. Only four MLAs have fully utilized their ₹4 crore entitlement, and 22% have used more than 90%.
Disturbingly, ₹40.79 crore remains unspent, with another ₹4.84 crore at risk of forfeiture. S. Manjula of Mahadevapura has not allocated a single rupee from her fund.
Skyrocketing Net Worths and Criminal Cases
Financial disclosures revealed startling growth in the net worth of several MLAs. K. Gopalaiah of Mahalakshmi Layout reported a 1,399.57% increase over his previous term. Munirathna of Rajarajeshwari Nagar followed with a 959.63% spike, while N.A. Haris saw his wealth rise by 318.62%. R. Ashok, Leader of the Opposition, reported a 104% increase.
Meanwhile, Munirathna also leads in criminal cases, with eight cases, including sexual harassment charges. A rape and honeytrap chargesheet was filed against him in December 2024. CIVIC noted that up-to-date criminal data could not be verified at the time of the report.
Call for Reform and Transparency
CIVIC Bangalore, which has championed citizen participation and democratic accountability since 1995, emphasized the urgent need for deeper engagement from elected representatives, particularly in addressing Bengaluru’s complex urban challenges.
“This report isn’t about scoring politicians—it’s about sparking a conversation on performance, priorities, and public responsibility,” said Prakash Belawadi, who presided as the Chief Guest at the event.
The report cards, based on data from Lok Sabha and Assembly websites, LAD dashboards, RTI filings, and NGOs such as PRS India and myneta.info, are available for public review on www.civicspace.in.
Key Highlights at a Glance:
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Highest MP attendance: P.C. Mohan (98.51%)
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Most active MP in debates/questions: Tejasvi Surya (13 debates, 84 questions)
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Highest MLA attendance: N. Shreenivasaiah (100%)
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Lowest MLA attendance: Priya Krishna (53.62%)
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Most unstarred questions (MLA): N.A. Haris (230)
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Funds unspent (KLLADS): ₹40.79 crore
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Top net worth increase: K. Gopalaiah (1,399.57%)
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Most criminal cases: Munirathna (8)
✅ SHORT SUMMARY
CIVIC Bangalore has released Citizens’ Report Cards evaluating the performance of Bengaluru’s 4 MPs and 32 MLAs, based on attendance, debates, questions raised, fund utilization, criminal records, and financial disclosures. The findings reveal significant disparities in engagement, large amounts of unspent development funds, a lack of legislative initiative to address urban governance crises, and steep surges in personal wealth among some elected representatives.
📌 CONTEXT & BACKGROUND
Bengaluru’s MPs have completed 1 year in office in the 18th Lok Sabha, and MLAs have completed 2 years in the 16th Karnataka Legislative Assembly. In this context, CIVIC Bangalore, a public interest trust, conducted a 6-month study to evaluate their legislative and constituency performance. The study aimed to promote democratic accountability and strengthen citizen engagement in governance.
🗣️ STATEMENTS & QUOTES
🗨️ Kathyayini Chamaraj, Chairperson, CIVIC Bangalore:
“It is disheartening that not one Bengaluru legislator used a Private Member Bill to raise issues of urban governance. This shows a glaring indifference to the structural crises facing the city.”
🗨️ Prakash Belawadi, Chief Guest:
“This isn’t a blame game. These report cards are tools to make democracy more participatory and representatives more responsive.”
🗨️ CIVIC Volunteer:
“Despite massive challenges Bengaluru faces—floods, traffic, pollution—not a single MP or MLA thought it fit to push for reforms via Private Bills. We need proactive representatives, not silent seat-fillers.”
🗨️ CIVIC Intern:
“₹40 crores in unspent MLA development funds while communities lack basics like drainage and footpaths is simply unacceptable.”
❓Q & A Section
Q: What is the Citizens’ Report Card project?
A: It is an initiative by CIVIC Bangalore that evaluates elected representatives on parameters like attendance, questions raised, LAD fund utilization, criminal cases, and financial growth.
Q: Which MP had the best attendance?
A: P.C. Mohan with 98.51%.
Q: Who asked the most questions among MPs?
A: Tejasvi Surya, with 84 questions and 13 debates.
Q: How much MLA development money was left unspent?
A: ₹40.79 crore of KLLADS funds remain unused, with ₹4.84 crore at risk of forfeiture.
Q: Which MLA’s net worth increased the most?
A: K. Gopalaiah from Mahalakshmi Layout, with a 1,399.57% increase.
Q: Were any legislators found with criminal records?
A: Yes, Munirathna has 8 criminal cases, including serious charges like sexual harassment and rape.
📅 Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 20, 2023 | Bengaluru’s MLAs begin their current term in the 16th Karnataka Assembly. |
| June 24, 2024 | Bengaluru’s MPs begin their term in the 18th Lok Sabha. |
| Dec 2024 – May 2025 | CIVIC Bangalore conducts 6-month analysis using public data and RTI responses. |
| June 6, 2025 | Citizens’ Report Cards officially released at Ashirvad Centre, Bengaluru. |
| June 14, 2025 | Public press note issued highlighting key findings and making data public via CIVIC’s website. |
⚖️ Legal & Administrative Aspects
Legal Dimensions:
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MLA LAD Funds (KLLADS): These are governed by clear state-level guidelines; unused funds lapse after 2 years, causing loss of potential public works.
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MP LAD Funds (MPLADS): Central scheme with funds rolling over annually; delayed utilization can lead to administrative review.
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Private Member Bills: Constitutionally allowed under Article 107, but rarely used. The neglect indicates missed legislative opportunities.
Administrative Concerns:
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Poor fund utilization can prompt audit queries by the AG (Accountant General).
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Unspent LAD funds in some wards could delay local infrastructure projects, particularly in urban poor areas.
#BengaluruReportCard #MPMLAPerformance #AccountabilityMatters #CitizenAudit #CIVICBangalore #UrbanGovernance #LADFunds #TransparencyInPolitics #NetWorthVsPublicWorth #SilentLegislators
Everyone must know all these
Glad to see the report card and fund allocation.
But a simple basic infrastructure which We are following up for almost a decade goes unheard .
Though there are enough funds no action ?? why ???