The recent political discourse in Pragathi Nagar highlights a crucial misunderstanding regarding the roles of different public representatives. Many citizens have been misled by claims that had a particular candidate won as Member of Parliament (MP), they would have secured water from the Kaveri river in mere days. However, it’s important to clarify the distinct responsibilities of an MP, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), and state government ministers, especially in matters like water supply to areas under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

Water supply falls under the purview of state governance and is listed in the State List of the Indian Constitution. This means that MLAs and state government ministers play the primary role in facilitating water connections. Specifically, the concerned minister in the state government, such as the Minister for Water Resources or Urban Development, along with the local MLA, holds decision-making authority and is responsible for the timely execution of such projects. They ensure that infrastructure is developed, and necessary resources are allocated to extend water facilities to the respective areas.

On the other hand, MPs represent their constituencies in the Parliament and handle matters listed under the Union List, which includes national and international issues, and broader policymaking. MPs can only request or lobby for the faster implementation of projects that fall under the state’s jurisdiction but cannot directly influence or expedite such decisions. While they can push for developmental projects in their constituency, their authority in state matters, like water supply, remains limited.

To illustrate this point, from 2019 to 2024, Mr. D.K. Suresh served as the MP for Bangalore Rural constituency, while Mr. D.K. Shivakumar is holding the position of a state minister from 2023. Both were in power from 2023 to 2024, what’s the work done then? Is it practically possible to do any work in 15 days if it was not done in the past one year? The decision-making and execution of water supply projects in Pragathi Nagar, which is under BBMP, is within the minister & MLA domain. However, some political actors are misleading the public by attributing this responsibility to an MP.

It’s essential for voters to understand the distinct roles and limitations of their elected representatives to make informed decisions. Political claims that misrepresent these roles do a disservice to the democratic process, creating confusion rather than clarity.