Two days ahead of his swearing-in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka for the second time, HD Kumaraswamy asked his party cadre and supporters not to erect cutouts and other illegal publicity material across the state.
“I request you not to erect celebratory banners and cutouts, hang buntings and burst crackers as this will destroy the environment. It is my wish that the party workers not do these things,” Kumaraswamy appealed to his supporters through a message sent to JD(S) workers.
He added, “I know that my party workers will fight for social injustice and worker hard for it. It is also my wish that they prioritize environmental safety.”
This move has earned the CM-designate a thumbs up from environmentalists and common citizens alike.
Vijay Nishanth, an environmental activist, popularly known as ‘Tree Doctor’, said this was a positive move.
“We are extremely happy that he, as the CM, has prioritised on the environment and asked his supporters not to destroy it,” he told TNM.
Life-size cutouts, large banners and hoardings of politicians across party lines, wishing people on their birthdays or on festival days, are not just eyesores but are also a major source of pollution.
Besides, political flex banners, which Bengaluru has in huge numbers, are all illegal and, additionally, there is a ban placed on plastics that are only used once.
Srinivas Alavalli, co-founder of the activist forum Citizens for Bengaluru, also welcomed the move.
“It’s a welcome move from a new CM. This is how one can set an example. I live in JP Nagar, near his residence, and unlike the last time there were no JD(S) banners ahead of the elections. I also like the phrase where he called himself a 'lover of the environment' to teach responsible behavior to his supporters and party people,” he said.
“If they don’t put up flex banners or hoardings this time, it will set a good precedent for future elections,” he added.
Another Bengaluru resident, Praveen S, expressed reservations on the appeal changing this on the ground, “It is heartening to hear this from HD Kumaraswamy. I hope his party men and elected representatives follow suit. Even those from other parties must not deface public spaces. But we hardly see results on the ground.”
The full message from HDK to party workers:
A decade later, the Janata Dal Secular is coming to power in Karnataka through a coalition government. A lot of party workers and party fans have worked very hard. I’d like to thank the people of Karnataka and the party workers as I would not have reached this position without them.
I will ensure that under my chief ministership the people of Karnataka, my party workers and my well wishers will celebrate. On the day I take oath as the Chief Minister, I will also be a party of the celebrations.
However, during the celebrations, due to the love you have for me, I request you not to erect celebratory banners and cut-outs, hang buntings and burst crackers as this will destroy the environment. It is my wish that the party workers not to do these things.
I know that my party workers will fight for social injustice and worker hard for it. It is also my wish that they prioritize environmental safety. We are people who care about the environment immensely. Let’s save it and protect it.