Government in a fix over BBMP reservation list

The State Urban Development Department had prepared a list of the reservation of wards, which was based on Assembly-wise population. However, the High Court scrapped the reservation of wards saying that the Government should reserve wards on the basis of overall population.

Sent for clearance
According to sources in the Government, the Urban Development Department prepared the new list a few days after the High Court quashed the previous list and sent it to the Government for clearance.
However, the ruling BJP is dilly-dallying on the release of the reserved wards, fearing a serious backlash in the party, which is already witnessing bitter infighting.

Enormous pressure
The sources said, the Government is facing enormous pressure from the partyworkers, aspiring for tickets in the BBMP elections.
The BJP workers from the general category are after the MLAs and ministers to prevent reservation of the respective wards.
The sources said, “We did our job and are waiting for the Government’s nod.”

State ready with revised version
The State government is ready with the revised reservation list for BBMP wards. However, there is time until December 23 to submit the list to the High Court.
Principal Secretary of Urban Development Department on Wednesday said, “The department has revised the reservation list as per the High Court’s direction and can be submitted at anytime. The Government will later take a decision on it.”
The Government had allocated reservation for SC and ST categories considering their population in each of the Assembly constituencies in BBMP limits.
The High Court objected to it and ordered the Government to accord reservation considering their population in each ward.