BBMP polls: Urban experts pin hopes on 6 month city makeover

Bengaluru: It is a victory for the state government with the High Court division bench, headed by Chief Justice D.H. Waghela, giving a free hand to the government to hold elections later, without any timeframe. The order is bound to have a cascading, multiple effect on the future of the BBMP administration.

The court made it clear that the state should meet the constitutional obligation of holding the election within six months of dissolving the elected local body (as per 74th Constitutional Amendment Act elections should have been conducted by now). Many urban planning experts felt that the state government can bring in several constructive changes in the administration in the next six months.

Civic Trustee member Kathyayini Chamaraj said that changes in the law should be made to bring in smaller zones under greater Bengaluru, even if the government decides to divide the BBMP.

“There should be a single apex body to govern multiple municipalities. There should be uniform laws to create coordination, and maintain the identity of the city. The government should aim to bring more transparency and accountability in these six months,” she said. She welcomed the new legislation which only refers to restructuring of the BBMP, but does not speak about division of Bengaluru.

Whitefield Rising member R.K Misra was happy with the court order that gives time to reform and restructure the BBMP. “There is no timeframe fixed for the elections. However, the court observed that the constitutional obligations of the state must be met. This means elections will have to be held within six months from the day the BBMP was dissolved. While the state's appeal was the primary matter, our appeal was also heard and the same order applied. We feel happy and we hope for better days for Bengaluru and Bengalureans,” he said.