Bengaluru

MinisterKrishna Byre Gowda, who had delayed taking charge of the Greater Bengaluru Development portfolio citing “incomplete” allocation of key city-related departments, held his first meeting with top officials under the GBA limits on Tuesday.

Clarifying that he assumed charge following directions of Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and the Congress high command, he said he has informed the leadership that clarity regarding his responsibilities was essential to deliver the results.

Gowda, who took oath on June 3, was allotted the Greater Bengaluru Development portfolio. The minister was unhappy as the CM retained direct control over the city’s two influential planning agencies—the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) -- and therefore delayed assuming charge of the department.

He has been entrusted with the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and five city corporations under it, as well as the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and Bengaluru Metro. The minister recently discussed his portfolio with Shivakumar and the Congress high command, including party General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala.

“Regarding the portfolio issue, I have shared my opinion with the Chief Minister and the party high command. To run the administration efficiently and provide results with accountability, there needs to be clarity. I have brought this to the notice of the CM and the party leadership, they will decide on it,” Gowda said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said his stand was that it was appropriate to take charge once there was clarity. “But the Chief Minister and the high command directed me to work assuming the charge, and they would decide on the matter in due course. Ultimately, I will have to respect their directions, so I have taken charge and have begun my work,” he added.

Noting that the CM has decided as per his discretion, Gowda said, “I have requested him to rethink, but ultimately, as you know this matter is subject to the Chief Minister’s discretion.”