BBMP polls: BJP won’t give up, will go to Supreme Court

Bengaluru: The opposition BJP is in no mood to give up the fight against the Congress government on the BBMP poll issue. After the Karnataka High Court verdict gave much-needed relief to the state government, the BJP has decided to challenge the order before the Supreme Court.

Party leaders held consultations with the legal team and may file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court to challenge the division bench order of the High Court. The order cancels the single judge bench verdict that the poll should be held by May 30.

The BJP is likely to rely on an earlier order of the Supreme Court not to postpone the civic body elections once their term ends. The SLP may be filed on this basis. Speaking to reporters on Friday, BJP state unit president Pralhad Joshi said, “We are not satisfied with the order of the High Court. We will approach the Supreme Court and have held consultations with our legal team on filing the appeal”.

“Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in the Legislative Council that the government is not afraid to conduct elections to BBMP. If you (Chief Minister) did not want the polls to be postponed, why did you bring the Karnataka Municipal Corporations (Amendment) bill at the last moment instead of introducing it in the Budget session?”, Mr Joshi asked.

“According to the 74th amendment to the Constitution, elections should be held on time and the government should not postpone the elections. We will approach the Supreme Court against the violation of the Constitution by the state government”, Mr Joshi added.

Select committee fight will continue

The opposition BJP has decided not to give up its fight against the state government in the Legislative Council despite the order of the high court and is firm on its resolve to get the controversial bill referred to the select committee. Sources said the state government may not be too bothered about getting the bill passed now that the polls need not be held by May 30.

JD(S) to continue protest

Stating that the decision of division bench of the Karnataka High Court to set aside the verdict of a single judge on BBMP polls was expected, JD (S) leader H D Kumaraswamy said on Friday that his party would continue to oppose the state government’s move to divide BBMP.

He told the media here that though his party would not contest the judgment of the division bench, it would continue stand by its decision that The KMC (Amendment) Bill, 2015, be referred to select committee when the Legislative Council resumes the debate on Monday.  

“Congress leaders argue that trifurcation is essential to tone up the administration in BBMP. Then, along with corruption charges in the last seven years, let the government come out with the statistics of last two years. After the Congress was voted to power, it got a letter signed by BBMP entrusting road development to KREDL. BBMP pooled in Rs 250 crores and the state government Rs 250 crores. The entire allotment was made by Bengaluru in-charge minister Mr Ramalinga Reddy. Did he make allocations as per the need for development in particular areas or at the whims and fancies of some legislators? What were the guidelines he used to allocate money? If such work culture continues, division of Bengaluru will not help,” he added.

DKS, HDK in war of words

The war of words between energy minister D.K. Shivakumar and his arch rival and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy does not seem to end with the latter declaring on Friday that the former would meet the same fate as former tourism minister and mine lord G. Janardhan Reddy and former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.

He told the media here: “He is scared of a case that it’s going on in the Supreme Court. He is threatening and trying to silence the witness.” Asked about his threat to release incriminating documents against Mr Shivakumar, Mr Kumaraswamy said he was not in a hurry. “You may be in a hurry, but I am not. The documents are there and I will release them at an appropriate time,” he added.