Even as dengue deaths continue to rise in the city,
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) councillors chose to squabble
over other issues rather than discuss the calamity.

In
a meeting that began nearly two hours late on Monday, dengue figured
nowhere on the list of the 23 subjects that came up for discussion. A
few Opposition councillors had to force the topic to be introduced for
discussion in the meeting, which was later adjourned.

Fast-tracked

However,
no major decisions were taken nor any assurances given. Instead, the
Council approved 22 subjects in less than 20 minutes. The dengue
discussion drowned in the ensuing chaos.

When some
councillors staged an impromptu protest, Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy
admitted that around 200 dengue cases have been detected within BBMP
limits. On the steps taken, he said that there was a proposal for a BBMP
laboratory to diagnose dengue cases. He has instructed BBMP
Commissioner M.K. Shankaralinge Gowda to conduct more awareness
programmes, he said.

‘Not doing enough’

Unimpressed,
Janata Dal (Secular) councillor Padmanabha Reddy asked the Mayor what
the palike had been doing all this while. Criticising the awareness
programme, he said that it was akin to closing the gates after the enemy
had breached the fort.

Congress, Janata Dal(S) and
some independent councillors stormed the well of the House demanding
that they be allowed to speak about dengue and questioned the urgency of
approving the subjects when people are dying of dengue. When they were
finally allowed to talk, they continued shouting slogans.

Angered,
the Mayor said: “You (non-BJP councillors) seem to be interested in
publicity rather than discussing the issue.” The chaos continued when
Opposition leader M.K. Gunashekar stood up to speak on dengue while his
party colleagues sat on the floor.

When BJP councillors objected to this, the former Mayor S.K. Nataraj advised Mr. Venkatesh Murthy to adjourn the meeting.

It will now be held on Tuesday.