Everyone’s watching, don’t become the May-err!

In a week in which high adrenaline scandals grabbed the eyeballs of a nation, state, city and then some, Bangalore got its mayor just as the weekend rolled in.

Three-time councillor  BJP’s SK Natraj’s election as mayor jostled for space with a-new-twist-a-day IPL-Modi-gate, Shashi Twee-roor’s song and dance, a smiling Nityananda despite slippers being hurled at him, Sania getting mobbed in sasuraal Pakistan with hubby Shoaib, and worms coming out of the woodwork faster than one could say ‘shame on you’. Nevertheless, Natraj got his day in the sun and preened, posed and promised as the shutterbugs clicked away. 

But so much for the brouhaha that preceded the civic polls and election of the man who donned mayoral robes… I’m already getting a sneaky feeling that not many in the city are gung ho about things getting better soon. Mayor or no mayor.

A sizeable number of residents know a one-year term is certainly not enough time to make a difference to our city, especially when the mayor’s role is largely ceremonial — don’t forget that there is likely to be interference from the government at every step. It’s up to Natraj to go the whole nine yards to prove to sceptical  Bangaloreans whether he’s capable of bringing about the change they are seeking in the time he has in hand.

There was a fair bit of Mayor-talk going around on the weekend but tainted with a sense of resignation, indifference even, in some quarters. A repository of wit and wisdom who was in the defence services for over two decades, agreed when a few members of Bangalore’s glitterati pointed out that the mayor generally lacks big-muscle executive authority. “But to give Bangalore what really needs, it would take a Rudy Giuliani, someone who steps in at a time of crisis, takes the city forward and also manages his image like a brand,” he said while talking of the former New York City Mayor.

On a lighter note, I ask fashion guru Prasad Bidapa to suggest some style tips for Natraj to give him an edge with Gen Y while he goes about his duties in Bengaluru. Bidapa thinks the new mayor should step out and see for himself the sorry state Bangalore is in. “For this, he will need stout walking shoes so he does not twist his ankles on our non-existent pavements. He can wear white pyjamas and a kurta to stay cool and comfortable when slum-dwellers descend on him with their demands for bijli, sadak and paani. A nice bundi jacket for cool evenings as he inspects the overflowing drains. A nice hat to protect him from the sun in treeless, shadeless Bangalore. Good sunglasses and mosquito repellent optional.”

I like what the late Richard J Daley, who served for nearly two decades as the Mayor of Chicago, said about team work, “We all like to hear a man speak out on his convictions and principles. But at the same time, you must understand that when you’re running on a ticket, you’re running with a team.” The city’s 44th mayor has his team of 198. Bangalore is waiting… we need a mayor with the strength to dig us out of this hole and fast. Our eyes are on you!