Uncertainty surrounds BBMP elections amid growing challenges

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Despite government officials' repeated assurances of holding the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections by year-end, persistent obstacles have cast doubt on the timeline.

Newly arising issues, including concerns related to ward reservation announcements and the Basavanagudi ward name change controversy, have raised fears of potential election postponement.

It has been three years since the tenure of BBMP's elected representatives ended, leading to the administration being handled by IAS officers.

Nonetheless, the state government is grappling with challenges that are impeding the progress of the BBMP elections.

While the BBMP affirms its commitment to conducting the elections, it appears to be stuck in the preliminary stages. Under the current Congress government, the number of wards in BBMP has been reduced from 243 to 225, necessitating alterations in ward names.

For example, the longstanding Basavanagudi Ward, in existence since 1949, was renamed the Dodda Ganapati Temple Ward. In response, Basavanagudi residents and former corporators have filed a petition with the High Court, seeking a reversal of the ward name to Basavanagudi.

The government contends that the matter is currently sub judice in a ward's trial court, preventing any further election-related proceedings. This legal issue is cited as the primary reason for the election delay.

Typically, local body elections should be completed within 180 days (6 months) of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. With Lok Sabha elections slated for 2024, the BBMP elections should ideally conclude by December 13.

However, with only 43 days remaining, the BBMP must swiftly address tasks such as publishing ward reservations, gathering public objections, finalizing the reservation list, and conducting the election process within a tight timeframe.

Consequently, former corporators express scepticism about the feasibility of holding BBMP elections before July or August 2024.