MLAs, MLCs and MPs should not be given voting power in local bodies
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Bengaluru: First, polls to the BBMP were delayed. Now formation of the council is being pushed back, with both the BJP and Congress looking forward to teaming up with JD(S) and independents to rule the BBMP.
Political analysts and experts have roundly condemned the blatant horse trading, hijacking, and misuse of voting power by MLAs, MLCs and MPs to manipulate the mandate given by the public. Those who have been observing such tactics have demanded an amendment to the Karnataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) Act 1976 and sought to maintain the sanctity of the local body — BBMP, without any interference.
Speaking to DC, urban expert Ashwin Mahesh said that the era of slimy politics and machinations is back. According to him, restructuring of Bengaluru is the solution for the holistic growth of the city.
“MLAs, MLCs and MPs ought not to be members of municipal councils. Each level is distinct. Elected representatives at one level cannot vote on another level. Local matters should be decided by local elections, and the electoral outcome of those should be the deciding factor in finalizing leaders. By allowing central and state governments to have representation in local bodies, we have invited the kind of tamasha that we are now seeing”, he said.
Like the way MPs cannot vote in assembly or council, legislators and MPs shouldn’t be given a chance at local bodies, said Mr. Mahesh. A legal expert from the BBMP said that MLAs, MLCs and MPs have been empowered with voting power as per the KMC Act. This was incorporated in the KMC Act as per the 74th amendment.
However, MLAs, MLCs and MPs should not be given voting power in local bodies. They can only debate and not decide, he said and added that hardly any MPs, MLCs and MLAs take part in council meeting except during the mayoral poll.
Amendments should be done by the central government and not the state government, he revealed. D. S. Rajshekar, president of Citizens’ Action Forum (CAF) says the KMC Act must be amended to empower the local body and the public representatives locally. Local bodies’ power should not be over-ridden by legislators and parliamentarians, he added.
MLA Suresh Kumar too felt the need for a re-look into the KMC Act and the relevant rules laid down to elect the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor. But in the present scheme of things, the non-BBMP members are holding the cards. They can make or unmake the verdict of the Bengaluru voters, which is sad, said Mr. Kumar.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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