The KBG took over the development of Bengal after a push from the High Command, the CM

Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda during a meeting of senior officers under GBA jurisdiction in Bengaluru on Tuesday. | Photo credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

Minister Krishna Byre Gowda took charge of the Bengal development portfolio on Tuesday, nearly two weeks after he was sworn in, saying his decision was in line with the directives of the Congress high command and Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Mr Gowda, who was sworn in on June 3, was late because he was unhappy that the Chief Minister had retained the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA), two key planning bodies for the city.

“I told the chief minister and the leadership my view that the lack of clarity on who is in charge will show in the way of accountability and results-oriented administration,” he said. But he added that it is ultimately at the discretion of the chief minister.

“I appealed to the chief minister to reconsider his decision. I was of the opinion that it is better to take charge when I have clarity, but the high command and the chief minister told me to take charge and start working and that the problem will be solved eventually. So I started working,” he told reporters.

Mr. Gowda said that improving the quality of daily life of Bengaluru is his top priority. He held his first meeting with top officials within the limits of the GBA. He reportedly questioned the officials about the quality of roads in Bengaluru and asked if road construction was “rocket science” and why we can’t build roads without potholes.

Published – 16 Jun 2026 22:29 IST