BBMP told to hold polls

BBMP told to hold polls
‘ It is neces- sary to direct the state gov- ernment and election com- mission to conduct ‘ ‘ BBMP elec- tions in the next three months.
BENGALURU


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Finally, after 19 months the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike council’s term came to an end and the residents can now have an elected representative in the next three months.

A High Court division Bench comprising Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and justice B.S. Patil on Wednesday directed the state government and election commission to hold elections in the next three months.

Hearing a petition filed by former mayor Mr P.R.

Ramesh, the Bench observed that, “Without any justification, the process of election to the BBMP has been deferred and the administrator rule is continued. Such a situation cannot be permitted and is a violation. Therefore, it is just necessary to direct the state government and election commission to conduct election to the BBMP in the next three months with effect from today. The state government ought to have initiated steps to conduct the elections to the BBMP in accordance with the law.” Greater Bengaluru has been formed by merging seven city municipal councils, one town municipal council and 110 villages with erstwhile BBMP.

These present realities and developments have to be looked into.

Revision of electoral rolls, which were utilised during legislative Assembly elections in May, has to be done.

Mr Ramesh had filed a public interest litigation in October 25, 2006, demanding that the BBMP hold elections immediately after the Council’s term expired on November 23, 2006.

Mr Ramesh had stated that elections cannot be deferred under any provision after the completion of the term.

Reacting to the verdict, Mr Ramesh said it is a victory for democracy and for the people of the city.

“For the last 20 months, there was hardly any the administration in the absence of an elected body.

Administration during this period did not help the people in any way and they were kept in the dark about the developmental projects being taken up in the city,” Mr Ramesh said.