The BJP’s first CM in south India had on Tuesday, a day after he assumed office, ordered the transfer of P Manivannan, an IAS officer who has gained considerable respect for his work in urban bodies around the state. Posted to Mysore three months ago, the officer had quickly set in motion plans for preserving the Heritage City status of Mysore using funds allocated under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

Pressure had, however, been mounting from local councilors and the land mafia for his transfer after he outlined plans to demolish illegal constructions and issued notices to land encroachers in Mysore. Following the decision to transfer Manivannan, the Association of Concerned and Informed Citizens of Mysore (ACICM) held a demonstration in front of the city corporation on Wednesday calling for a Mysore Bandh on November 16. “We are demanding the retention of Manivannan for at least one more year until the JNNURM funds are allocated properly. We cannot be protesting every day, so we are asking citizens to voluntarily protest the transfer on Friday,” ACICM member M Lakshmana said.

Manivannan is also credited with providing a 24-hour helpline at the corporation, revamping systems in the MCC and the Mysore Urban Development Authority, decentralising administration and activating ward-level committees.

The transfer move has also triggered off an online protest petition. “Manivannan has been in Mysore for less than three months and within this short period he has made an impression. To shift such a person betrays Yeddyurappa’s supreme indifference to public sentiments,” a blogger commented on a Mysore citizen’s forum.

Former JD(S) Minister G T Devegowda has promised to fight to revoke the transfer. Former CM H D Kumaraswamy has questioned the BJP’s hurry to announce changes. “I understand there is dissatisfaction in the JD(S). Now, I have decided to take decisions only after winning the vote of confidence on November 19,” Yeddyurappa said.