The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will oppose the bill proposing the trifurcation of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) by the State government to be tabled in the special legislature on Monday and has sought the cooperation of JD(S) on the issue.
Addressing presspersons here on Sunday, BJP State President Pralhad Joshi alleged that despite court order, Congress is trying to put off the BBMP elections for fear of losing.
The State government has convened a special session of the Legislature on April 20 to table a bill for amending the Karnataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) Act for trifurcating BBMP.
Terming the dissolution of BBMP and appointment of administrator to BBMP as ‘undemocratic decision’ by the State government, Mr. Joshi said that by such an act the government has violated Court order.
“A single judge bench of Karnataka High Court has ordered the State government to hold the BBMP polls before May 30. Although an appeal has been filed against it, there has been no stay on the earlier order, which means that the poll process should be initiated as per the stipulated date”, Mr. Joshi said.
He said that the party has sought cooperation from Janata Dal(Secular) for floor coordination on the issue and JD(S) had assured to consider the issue. “BJP’s legislature party meeting to be held on Monday will decide on the course of action”, he said.
Onus on Election Commission
The BJP State president said that the onus was now on the State Election Commission to act impartially and independently. “The EC had convened a press conference on the issue but it was cancelled at the last minute. I don’t know why? But I would request the EC to act independently and retain the trust the people have in it by issuing the calendar of events”, he said.