BENGALURU: The power tussle between senior ministers to take control of Bengaluru turned bitter on Saturday as the housing minister V Somanna openly expressed his desire to hold the city development portfolio following reports that it may be given to R Ashoka ahead of the BBMP polls. Somanna also accused Ashoka of behaving like an “autocrat”.
“I have been in politics for over four decades. I have also efficiently served as Bengaluru incharge minister in the past. So, I'm also a strong contender for the portfolio. I have no objection if the chief minister continues to keep the portfolio with him. But if he wants to give it to others, I have requested him to consider my name,” Somanna said.
Somanna also took a dig at Ashoka for not attending a meeting he had convened last week to discuss implementation of housing schemes in the city.
“He is literally behaving as Samrat Ashoka (king Ashoka). I go to meetings convened by him. But he thinks attending meetings convened by me is below his stature,” he alleged.
Hitting back at Somanna, Ashoka said he was not particular about becoming the Bengaluru in-charge minister or getting the portfolio and he would be happy if someone else is given the responsibility.
“Whatever the CM has asked to do, I have done. That's all,” he said.
