Posters of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have sprung up in the city on his birthday.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is all over Bangalore today, smiling down from large hoardings, life-sized cut outs and massive posters as his followers rush to outdo each other in wishing him a "Happy Birthday."
At last count, there were more than 100 such colourful displays only in one area of central Bangalore.
The CM turned 66 today, and in their eagerness to celebrate the occasion, the ruling Congress seems to have either forgotten or winked at a High Court order that prohibits political parties from defacing the city with celebratory posters.
The Karnataka High Court had observed last year that such posters and hoardings within the city obstruct the view of drivers and increase the possibility of accidents. In earlier years, the court had ordered the removal of posters celebrating politicians, especially those that carried birthday wishes or wished them success in elections.
In 2012, the court was explicit in its instruction. "Make political leaders whose photographs are printed on the posters and banners put up illegally, as co-accused in the criminal cases booked for disfigurement of public places, then automatically their followers will fall in line," it had told civic body the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike or BBMP.
In September last year, exasperated judges said, "Is any road clear of these posters, hoardings? Not even one road. Because of colourful banners and hoardings, accidents are taking place and people are dying."
The court also said, "They put up birthday posters of political leaders. They're removed only when birthday posters of another political leader springs up."
When the BJP was in power in the state, it too had similar 'poster birthday celebrations' for its leader Yeddyurappa.