<p>Bengaluru: Elections to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), pending for five years, must be held this May "whether we like it or not," Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy said on Saturday.</p><p>The city has not had an elected municipal council since September 2020.</p><p>"This September, it'll be five years without BBMP elections," Reddy, the senior-most lawmaker in Bengaluru who represents BTM Layout, said.</p><p>"We have to hold elections in May whether we like it or not. Otherwise, the Supreme Court will issue directions (to hold polls)," Reddy said.</p><p>Reddy defended his government when asked about the delay in holding BBMP elections.</p>.Vinod Kapri's 'Pyre' to open 2025 Bengaluru Film Festival.<p>"When SM Krishna was chief minister, the polls were held on time (in 2001). Then, under the previous Siddaramaiah governmnet, elections were held on time (in 2015). When the BJP was in power, in 2008, elections weren't held for 2.8 years. Similarly, the BJP government didn't hold polls in 2020," Reddy said.</p><p>The delay now is because of the Congress government wants to create a Greater Bengaluru Authority, Reddy said.</p><p>In July last year, the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill was referred to a joint select committee headed by Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad. He is expected to submit his report to Assembly Speaker UT Kharder on Monday (February 24).</p><p>Reddy said the city must have more multiple corporations.</p><p>"If we want to serve the people of Bengaluru, a single corporation will definitely not help. One commissioner can't look at the entire city. We need 2-3 corporations to provide good roads, streetlights, parks, playgrounds and storm water drains," Reddy argued.</p><p>The Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill allows up to 10 municipal corporations in Bengaluru.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Elections to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), pending for five years, must be held this May "whether we like it or not," Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy said on Saturday.</p><p>The city has not had an elected municipal council since September 2020.</p><p>"This September, it'll be five years without BBMP elections," Reddy, the senior-most lawmaker in Bengaluru who represents BTM Layout, said.</p><p>"We have to hold elections in May whether we like it or not. Otherwise, the Supreme Court will issue directions (to hold polls)," Reddy said.</p><p>Reddy defended his government when asked about the delay in holding BBMP elections.</p>.Vinod Kapri's 'Pyre' to open 2025 Bengaluru Film Festival.<p>"When SM Krishna was chief minister, the polls were held on time (in 2001). Then, under the previous Siddaramaiah governmnet, elections were held on time (in 2015). When the BJP was in power, in 2008, elections weren't held for 2.8 years. Similarly, the BJP government didn't hold polls in 2020," Reddy said.</p><p>The delay now is because of the Congress government wants to create a Greater Bengaluru Authority, Reddy said.</p><p>In July last year, the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill was referred to a joint select committee headed by Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad. He is expected to submit his report to Assembly Speaker UT Kharder on Monday (February 24).</p><p>Reddy said the city must have more multiple corporations.</p><p>"If we want to serve the people of Bengaluru, a single corporation will definitely not help. One commissioner can't look at the entire city. We need 2-3 corporations to provide good roads, streetlights, parks, playgrounds and storm water drains," Reddy argued.</p><p>The Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill allows up to 10 municipal corporations in Bengaluru.</p>
