Corporators may have to declare assets

Speaking to reporters on the Lokayukta’s recommendation to the Government in this regard, he said he is in favour of it and that the Government will take appropriate steps to implement the recommendation. “If necessary, the Government will bring an ordinance in this regard. But the Lokayukta’s recommendation has not yet reached us,” he stated.
He was speaking after taking part in a “Voters awareness campaign on reforms of poll system.”

Amendment sought

Earlier, Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde said he has written to the Chief Secretary recommending amendment to the Karnataka Lokayukta Act to make it mandatory for corporators to file affidavit of their assets and liabilities before it. Presently, the law applies only to MLAs and MLCs.

Coming BBMP elections are crucial for people as it directly affects their day-to-day lives. People should vote only to those who can contribute for Bangalore development, he added.

Congress leader M P Prakash said all political parties need to change to bring in electoral reforms.

“All political parties issue tickets based on caste and money power. There is no internal democracy in any party. Whether it is Congress or any other party, one or two persons decide everything,” he stated.

‘Note’ power

Narrating the way Assembly election was conducted in Harappanahalli in 2008, Prakash alleged: “My opponent, who is a minister now, distributed Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes to people. He won the election with a margin of 25,000 votes. But during the parliamentary election, he did not give money to people. So the Congress candidate secured 10,000 votes more in Harappanahalli.”