BELGAVI: All eyes will be on the Supreme Court on Friday, as the Congress is anxiously hoping to get a verdict that will enable it to postpone elections to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, at least by three months, while the BJP is hoping to the contrary.
A few days ago, the government cleared many tenders for completion of development works related to drainage, roads, garbage disposal and construction of retaining walls for drainages. “All road asphalting works in the city are expected to be complete in another three to four months,” said a senior Minister, implying it would create a favourable atmosphere for the party in the polls.
Speaking to The Hindu here on Thursday, another Minister said the party was “not postponing elections to buy time”. One Minister said: “We are planning to hold elections after completion of delimitation of wards and fixation of reservation as per the 2011 Census.”
The government filed an appeal in the Supreme Court on Monday last, against the High Court single judgment on BBMP elections. However, the court on Wednesday asked the State government what was preventing it from conducting BBMP polls at the “earliest”.
The State Election Commission has already announced a calendar of events for BBMP polls, with July 28 being set as polling day.
Meanwhile, the BJP, which ruled the BBMP for the last five years, has almost finalised its candidates for all 198 wards. With some poll surveys indicating more seats to the BJP if elections are held now, a city MLA of the BJP admitted delaying polls would benefit the Congress.
Namma Bengaluru Foundation, an NGO, had approached the apex court contending that the delay in holding polls violated the constitutional limit of five years for holding municipal polls.
