BBMP polls: HC issues contempt notice

BANGALORE: On  Tuseday, the Karnataka High court put on notice both the government and the State Election Commission (SEC) for contempt of its order regarding polls to Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagar Palike (BBMP). The High Court had ordered, on July 2, 2008, completion of elections to BBMP by October 2, but the government submitted before the court in August that 144 days would be required to complete polls.

Former mayor P R Ramesh is the petitioner in the case. He told DNA that the government had no intentions of conducting early polls to BBMP. Ramesh had also issued notices to SEC and the government, on August 4, seeking to know what steps were taken to implement the High Court order following which the government notified delimited list of wards. The government notified 147 wards in Greater Bangalore.

The contempt notice is for 21 days after which the High court may award punishment to the chief secretary, said Ramesh.
However, Bangalore in-charge minister R Ashok refused to comment. He said that he was yet to go through the notice.