Congress hopeful of Guv's assent for BBMP split bill

The ruling Congress is hopeful that the Governor, Rajubhai Vala, will give assent to the BBMP restructuring bill as the draft law has been introduced “as per his suggestion.”

Sources in the Congress party said that the Governor had refused twice to consider the Karnataka government’s request for approval. The first time the government approached him after the Cabinet decided to scrap the BBMP in favour of smaller municipal bodies.

When the Governor didn’t approve it, the government promulgated an ordinance to carry out its plan. The Governor is said to have advised the government to go through the legislature route.

Accordingly, the government drafted the bill and got it passed in the legislature. The bill is now pending before the Governor.

Sources in the government as well as the Congress party said that since the legislature had passed the bill, the Governor might not have any reason to set it aside. At the most, the bill may remain pending indefinitely at the Raj Bhavan. Last week, the government withdrew its petition in the Supreme Court mainly because it didn’t want the case to become the reason for the Governor refusing his assent, it is said.

Speculation rife

There is also speculation that the government may again approach the Supreme Court in a day or two seeking a stay on the BBMP elections on the grounds that the bill is pending before the governor, and until a decision is taken, the polls should not be held.