Banners of local politicians reappear despite HC order

Publicists are opting for hand-painted advertising on walls to circumvent the high court directive on flex banners. An ad painted on a wall at T Dasarahalli. DH PHOTO/B H SHIVAKUMAR

After a long pause, banners are reappearing in Bengaluru despite the high court’s direction to remove all illegal hoardings, banners, buntings and flexes in the city.

The politicians of various outfits are putting up the banners despite the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) filing more than 1,000 cases in this regard so far.

“The BBMP along with the police officials are registering FIRs against those who put up banners in the city,” BBMP Joint Commissioner (Finance), Venkatesh told DH.

Following the high court’s order on August 1 to remove all illegal flexes and banners, the BBMP council also banned all forms of banners in public places for a period of one
year.

When asked why the banners are back again despite the strict rules, Venkatesh said, “Whenever we receive complaints about illegal flexes we direct officials to remove the banners.”

In a recent council meeting, Laggere ward corporator, Manjula Narayanaswamy had complained that the Rajarajeshwari Nagar MLA, Munirathna, is violating the order of the high court by displaying his photographs at the drinking water kiosks in the constituency.

She alleged that the MLA had put up his photographs at kiosks along with the images of lions on his either side, violating the rules set by the civic body.

Ban orders

In November, BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad had issued orders banning the display of photographs of local leaders in public places, such as bus shelters and drinking water kiosks.

Explaining about the posters of politicians at water kiosks and bus stops, Venkatesh said, “In Bengaluru, we can put up the photos of Governor and Chief Minister in RO water kiosks. Most of the time these projects are taken up by the local corporator or MLA. So, they also want to put up their images, but we remove it,” he added.