Berthing pangs hit BBMP

Present Council hall can seat 100, while the demand for berths is over 240

The State Cabinet’s decision to increase the number of wards to198 has posed a new challenge to the BBMP. Where to seat all the members?

Going by the decision, 217 members (including 19 nominated members) will now be on the BBMP council. Also, all 28 MLAs and three MPs of Bangalore will be allowed to take part in the council proceedings. This means the BBMP will have to construct a new council hall to accommodate an expanded body to hold monthly meetings. The capacity of the existing Kempe Gowda meeting hall at the BBMP’s main complex is only 100.

Defending the government’s decision to increase the number of wards, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Shobha Karandlaje said effective administration can be provided by carving out 198 wards. “Since seven CMCs, one TMC and 110 villages have been added to the Corporation, it was thought that 147 wards would not be enough,” she stated. The Cabinet did not take up the issue of the proposed Mayor-in-council system, the Minister said.

Delay likely

Despite the Cabinet's decision, there are apprehensions among a section of the Bangalore BJP legislators that elections to the local body may not be held until September. In all probability, the government, through the State Election Commission, may move the court, seeking time to hold the elections.

BJP sources said the draft regarding delimitation of 147 wards is ready. Since the government has decided to increase the number of wards, the KMC Act will be amended.
The present Act permits formation of a maximum of 150 wards. The two Houses of the legislature have been prorogued. If the government is serious about holding the polls, it will have to issue an ordinance to amend the Act. Department of Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation Secretary Bore Gowda said a draft to amend Article 213 to make amendments to the KMC Act was ready.

A revision of the electoral rolls is on the cards once the delimitation exercise is over. In addition, physical verification of the newly-formed wards will be conducted. “Definitely, we cannot complete the process before July. Bangalore receives rain in July. It is not the ideal time to hold the polls. On these grounds the government may seek some more time to conduct the elections,” a BJP legislator said.

When contacted, State Election Commissioner M R Hegde said the revised voters’ list will be ready once the delimitation of wards is finalised. In this context, Hedge said preparing the list will take at least four to five weeks.

Asked whether the monsoon could play spoilsport, Hegde said: “Bangalore receives just 35 inches of rain. So that cannot be a valid reason for seeking postponement. Anyhow, the SEC’s job is to conduct polls once the government completes its work.” Besides, he said, the elections will be held after he demits office.

Govt wants to delay BBMP polls: RVD

The Congress party will launch a protest from August 1 in Bangalore if the BBMP elections do not take place before the stipulated time of July 31.

Addressing a press conference, KPCC president R V Deshpande said the BJP government appears to be not in a mood to hold the elections in time and is likely to extend it further.

“The high court has ordered the government to hold the elections by July 31 whereas the attitude of the government is that it wants to postpone it further. If the elections are postponed, the Congress party will take to streets,” said Deshpande.

He said the BJP government had issued notification last year in September for the delimitation of wards but even after eight months the government has not issued final notification. The leader gave a call to the Congress workers to gear up for a vehement protest in the event of government not holding the elections in time.