BJP Accuses State Government of Curbing HDMC Powers During Hubballi Protest
Hubballi: BJP corporators staged a massive protest in the city on Monday, alleging discrepancies in the allocation of funds to the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) by the state government.
The protest, led by floor leader Veeranna Savadi and senior corporators Tippanna Majagi and Iresh Anchatageri, took place in front of the Mini Vidhan Soudha. The corporators raised slogans against the state government, condemning its failure to release grants under various schemes and denouncing the alleged interference by the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA).
Addressing the media, Veeranna Savadi stated that the state government has withheld grants amounting to ₹300 crore, which are critical for development works in the twin cities. He also accused the government of curbing the powers of the corporation.
Savadi highlighted that while the Congress had previously committed to empowering local bodies with complete authority over tenders and development works, the DMA’s interference represents an overreach of power. He announced that BJP corporators plan to present their grievances directly to the Governor through a formal memorandum.
A memorandum was also submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah via the Tahsildar, emphasizing how the lack of funds has severely hampered development initiatives. Savadi further urged the Chief Minister to grant them an appointment during the ongoing winter session of the State Legislature in Belagavi. He warned that failure to do so would compel them to stage a dharna in front of the Chief Minister’s residence in Bengaluru.
Tippanna Majagi, senior corporator and Hubballi-Dharwad BJP Mahanagar Zilla President, criticized District Minister Santosh Lad, accusing him of neglecting the development of Hubballi-Dharwad and merely engaging in performative acts.
Former mayor Shivu Hiremath, Radhabai Safare, Santosh Chavan, Seema Mogalishettar, Birappa Khandekar, Roopa Shetty, Ravi Naik, Siddu Mogalishettar, Mahendra Koutal, and several other BJP leaders were present at the protest.
