Aam Aadmi Party Demands Special Uplokayukta to Clean Up Bengaluru’s Civic Bodies, Alleges Systemic Corruption
Bengaluru – The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has called on the Karnataka government to appoint dedicated Uplokayuktas (Deputy Lokayuktas) for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and four other municipal corporations, in a bold move aimed at eradicating corruption and enforcing transparency in urban governance.
The demand was made during a press conference at the Press Club today, where senior party leaders painted a grim picture of systemic graft plaguing Bengaluru’s administration, particularly within the newly formed Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).
Allegations of “Loot” and a Culture of Impunity
AAP’s State President, Sitaram Gundappa, launched a scathing attack on the previous BBMP regime and its successor, the GBA. He alleged a decades-long plunder of public funds running into “lakhs of crores” of rupees, with no significant accountability.
“In the previous BBMP administration, lakhs of crores of rupees were looted over recent decades. Not a single rupee has been recovered, and no one has been punished so far,” Gundappa stated. “This same corrupt administration is now continuing under the present GBA. Because of this corrupt system, Bengalureans are facing severe problems in every sector.”
Legal Loopholes and the Contractor Nexus
A central point of the party’s criticism is the alleged protection granted to contractors under existing laws. Leaders argued that the current legal framework aids contractors in evading responsibility for malpractices.
“The existing laws provide ample help for contractors here to escape. Contractors must also be considered government employees, and a legal amendment is needed to take strict action against them,” Gundappa asserted. He demanded that the proposed Uplokayukta be given a fully equipped office within the GBA headquarters itself. “Unless strict action is taken against the corrupt, no one can save Bengaluru for any reason.”
Call for Legislative Amendment in Upcoming Session
Echoing the demand for stronger legal instruments, AAP’s State Campaign Committee Chairman, Laxmikant Rao, pressed for immediate legislative action.
“Under the current law, contractors cannot be directly made accused. Therefore, in the upcoming legislative session, an amendment must be brought to the Lokayukta Act to bring corrupt contractors under the purview of the law,” Rao emphasized.
The party contends that only an independent, powerful, and dedicated anti-corruption watchdog with jurisdiction over municipal bodies can break the entrenched nexus between officials and contractors and restore citizen faith.
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Roadmap for Accountability
The AAP’s proposal outlines a clear structure: a separate Uplokayukta office for each of the five major municipal corporations, including the GBA. This, they argue, would ensure focused investigation, faster resolution of public grievances related to civic works, and a permanent institutional mechanism to deter corruption in tendering, project execution, and fund utilization.
The press conference was also attended by the party’s State Media Convener, Jagadish V. Sadam, and State Secretary Ravikumar.
With Bengaluru grappling with infrastructural challenges and citizens repeatedly complaining about graft in basic services, the AAP’s demand places the spotlight squarely on governance and accountability in Karnataka’s urban local bodies. The state government’s response to this call for enhanced oversight is now awaited.
Key Quotes:
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“Not a single rupee has been recovered, and no one has been punished so far.” – Sitaram Gundappa
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“Unless strict action is taken against the corrupt, no one can save Bengaluru for any reason.” – Sitaram Gundappa
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“An amendment must be brought to the Lokayukta Act to bring corrupt contractors under the purview of the law.” – Laxmikant Rao
