Congress’ tug-of-war casts shadow on Bengaluru civic elections

Bengaluru : Is the political tug-of-war within the ruling Congress behind the uncertainty over the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) polls?

A late-night meeting between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar and AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala on Sunday triggered speculation over differences within the Congress regarding the timing of the civic polls.

Elections to the five corporations under the GBA (previously Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) have eluded Bengaluru since 2020, with the pandemic, delimitation, Assembly polls of 2023 and the reservation matrix cited at different stages. This time, the uncertainty is due to the shadow-boxing between Siddaramaiah and his deputy.

State election commissioner G S Sangreshi held a press conference last week, declaring that the state election commission was “poll ready” and indicating the possibility of holding GBA elections between June 14 and 24, only to do an U-turn of sorts, by way of an affidavit in the Supreme Court on Monday, seeking an additional three months’ time.   

The election announcement had surprised the Shivakumar camp, which suspects a “ploy” by the rival camp to defer discussion on the long-pending power transfer issue.

Also, the government had sought additional time before the Supreme Court, citing staff shortages arising from the ongoing census and the special intensive revision (SIR)-related exercise.

Siddaramaiah favours early polls, citing the Supreme Court’s deadline of June 30. Shivakumar, also the KPCC chief and Bengaluru development minister, is wary of a rushed poll, as a poor performance would prove to be a major setback for his claim to the CM’s post.

A S Ponnanna, legal advisor to CM, said, “The GBA polls issue is before the Supreme Court and we have to comply with the SC order. If elections are to be held, there should be adequate preparation and also staff. Bengaluru city is a special case with unique problems. We have to highlight all problems and find a legal remedy”.

Amid public anger over bad roads, garbage mounds and poor infrastructure in Bengaluru, peak summer and water woes and the likelihood of the holiday season affecting voter turnout, the Shivakumar faction fears the worst.

Not to forget the reported anti-incumbency feeling against the government and BJP’s aggressive campaign led by Ram Madhav, the party’s incharge for Bengaluru civic polls.  

“We will announce major guarantee schemes for Bengaluru on May 13,” said Shivakumar, even as the government explores legalities to defer the elections.

Many leaders believe the GBA polls to be a political barometer ahead of the gram panchayat, taluk panchayat and zilla panchayat elections, and eventually the 2028 Assembly polls.

The Shivakumar camp alleges that Siddaramaiah’s political ambition is overshadowing the party’s larger interest at a time when a united organisation and clarity on leadership are seen as crucial to mobilising cadre and gaining public confidence.