Grapevine suggests that attempts are being made by the State government to supersede the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) council, just before the end of its (council) term to buy time for election till the BBMP restructuring committee submits its report. The politically timed Rajendra Katharia Committee report on various financial and administrative irregularities in BBMP during this council term from 2010 to 2015, now submitted to Chief Minister, is a likely weapon to this end, sources said.
Terming attempts to supersede BBMP council as undemocratic, Mayor N. Shanthakumari said that using the Rajendra Katharia Committee report as a pretext towards this end was politically motivated and laughable. “The councillors have no executive powers in BBMP. If the committee has pointed out irregularities, let the officials be held responsible,” she said and alleged that all-out attempts were being made to delay BBMP polls.
If the State government supersedes the BBMP council, it gains a six-months time to hold elections to the council again. Highly placed sources said that the government is keen on restructuring BBMP by dividing it into multiple corporations before the polls. The three-member panel looking into the modalities is expected to submit its report by June-end.
The High Court of Karnataka that is hearing a petition filed by two councillors seeking directions to the State government to hold BBMP polls on time, has issued notice to the State government seeking an explanation. The State government is likely to supersede the council to circumvent the high court directions, sources added.
