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Karnataka HC directs state government to conduct BBMP polls by May 31

Justice B V Nagarathna had directed government not to delay the elections to the BBMP Council on the pretext of delimitation of wards. The term of the present BBMP Council comes to an end on April 22.

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Karnataka High Court (HC) on Monday, directed the state government to conduct Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) polls, before May 31. The High Court also directed government to prepare the list of reservation of wards by April 13.

Justice B V Nagarathna had directed government not to delay the elections to the BBMP Council on the pretext of delimitation of wards. Justice Nagarathna reserved the orders after hearing the submissions of Advocate General Ravivarma Kumar on March 17. The term of the present BBMP Council comes to an end on April 22.

However, some ministers have been alleging that the government wants to postpone the elections to the BBMP Council on one or the other pretext as BJP is the ruling party in the BBMP Council.

It may be recalled that Urban Development Department had issued a show-cause notice to the BBMP on March 18 seeking explanation on the financial irregularities. The department has served notices to all corporators, including Mayor and BBMP Commissioner under Section 99 of Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act. The Section 99 provides power to the state government to supersede or dissolve the BBMP Council.

The seven-member Congress team led by BL Shankar also favoured trifurcation of BBMP.

The state government may appeal to the Division Bench as Monday’s directive is by a single judge. It may be noted that majority of BJP corporators and some pro-Kannada organisations are against the splitting of BBMP.

Welcoming the High Court decision, NR Ramesh, leader of ruling party in BBMP Council, said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was desperate to delay the elections to the BBMP Council since the intelligence report is favourable to BJP corporators.

Speaking with iamin, Ashwin Mahesh, social technologist and former astronomer, said the authorities should focus on providing good governance. “I want the authorities concerned to give three months for election canvassing to enable prospective candidates to take a right decision and also give them sufficient time to reach all voters in the respective wards,” Mahesh said.

For the longer version of the report, click here

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