BBMP polls: Government wants to buy time

BENGALURU: The state government is back to its old tricks to stall the BBMP elections. After failing to do so by proposing division of the city, now a proxy petition is being filed in the court on the grounds of unscientific delimitation drawn for wards in the city.

According to sources, the claim is that the current reservation list is on the basis of 2001 census and not on the latest 2011 census. Each ward must have a population of 40-50 thousand for proper representation and the population has increased even after 2011 census.

Scientific delimitation of ward is essential and reservation matrix must have to be announced based on the delimitation. This may have to call for a fresh reservation list, said sources.

On Tuesday, District in-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy hinted at buying time stating that if the government gives one month's time the delimitation process will be completed. If the court did not give time then the government would stick to court direction. The state government is of the opinion that the city’s infrastructure, including the solid waste management and roads, which had gone haywire is showing signs of improvement.

The financial position of the BBMP too is getting better with increased revenue mobilization. If the present set up of administrator-commissioner duo rule continues for another six months, the image of the state government and Congress will get a boost. The Rs 1,000 crore package for giving facelift will also be taken up in some time to make the difference, added sources.

Although the Supreme Court and high court come down heavily against the state government, it would still get three to six month. All the legislators, irrespective of the party affiliation, like vacuum at the BBMP council, because they can enjoy the power and people would approach them for all problems. All these would be blessing in disguise for the government, said sources.

Loksatta Party Karnataka releases list of VIP land encroachers

Ahead of BBMP polls, Loksatta Party Karnataka has released details of encroachment of public land by VIPs and their relatives. Although the government’s move to evict encroachers following court order is welcome, but it is removing only the poor and gullible people and not the high and mighty, said N. S. Mukunda, President, party’s Karnataka unit.

Addressing reporters,  he said only when there is pressure from public and court, the government acted against major encroachers. A few days ago, the Loksatta had demanded the government to announce the names of encroachers having link with the government. Since the government failed to do so, the party has issued the list of encroachers who had grabbed the government land.

Some of the alleged encroachers that the list announced by the party include Minister Dinesh Gundurao, his relatives, Adichunchanagairi Education Trust and KSPCB chairman Vaman Acharya. Acharya is accused of grabbing five acres at Kodigehalli. Builder Dayanand Pai is also on the list. Former corporator G.H. Ramachandra, Srihari Khoday, Arunachalam of Shakti resort at Vaddarapalya near Uttarahalli are the other prominent encroachers, he said.