Belagavi: Despite filing a petition before the Apex court seeking postponement of elections to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike(BBMP, Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah on Wednesday reportedly directed legislators and party senior leaders to ensure the party’s victory in forthcoming BBMP polls slated to be held this month end.
The government has approached the Supreme Court saying the polls to the prestigious civic body should be held based on the data pertaining to the 2011 census and not the previous census.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader in the Congress party quoting the Chief Minister saying, “For us (Congress) the BBMP polls will be most important election which we will be facing on a party symbol, though, the party has performed better in the recently concluded Gram Panchayat polls.”
The source also added that the CM also instructed all MLAs, MLCs and MPs irrespective of the region they belong to work for the success of the Congress in the BBMP polls.
“Bengaluru is house to 1.10 crore people and people from all walks of life live here. Moreover, people belonging to every region in the state live here, therefore, it is a test of the mettle of all leaders in a way,” the source said.
The source further added that a delegation comprising of Bengaluru city legislators led by transport minister, R. Ramalinga Reddy appealed to the CM that the latter should also request the Speaker, Kagodu Thimmappa to cut short the duration of the Bengaluru legislature session by five days instead of 10 days, to which Mr Siddaramaih ahs reporteldy agreed in principle.
For probably the first time, the monsoon session is being held at two venues-Belagavi and Bengaluru this time. the first phase of the session is now going on in Belagavi after which the session will shift to the capital city.
Don’t delay BBMP poll: BJP quotes S.M. Krishna
The state BJP on Wednesday demanded that the BBMP elections be held immediately. Criticising the government’s decision to move the apex court on the BBMP poll issue, party spokesperson S. Suresh Kumar said, “In spite of the high court rejecting the government’s plea, the state moved the Supreme Court which is condemnable. The former chief minister, S.M. Krishna too objected to the government’s move. Fearing a rout, the Congress government is making this move.”
The fake ID card racket is rampant in the city and it was proved beyond doubt how the Bangladesh Prime Minister was given an ID card here. This clearly shows that the Congress party is indulging in illegal ways to seize BBMP,” Mr Kumar along with party MLA, B.N. Vijay Kumar and city unit president, Subbanna said.
Highlighting the deteriorating law and order situation, the BJP leaders said chain snatching incidents were on the rise and the government had failed tackle it. Ever since K.J. George became home minister, law and order has collapsed, they claimed
