BBMP polls: Will Congress score?

Bengaluru: As the State Election Commission gears up to hold the BBMP elections in a few weeks, controversies surrounding the much-delayed polls seem to have reached the final stage. With reports suggesting that the state government may appeal for more time to hold elections, the Siddaramaiah-led Congress seems to be in no hurry to hold the polls, although it has an upper hand in these local body elections.

The recent political exercise by the Congress indicates that it is all strategically driven to win the crucial polls. The Congress has carefully prepared the ward reservation list to ensure that former BJP corporators, who have a strong track record, do not scuttle the party’s chances of victory.  The reservation list was announced once earlier, but was soon withdrawn, before the government decided to stick to its first notification issued in April. 

The 50 per cent reservation for women, proposed by the government, has come as a bolt from the blue for many senior BJP corporators, who may not get a chance to contest this poll at all. If the reservation matrix comes into force, nearly 30 of the 113 BJP corporators in the outgoing House have to make way for women candidates. Some of the big names from the saffron party, including Gangabyraiah (Dr Rajkumar ward), former mayor S.K. Nataraj, C.K. Ramamurthy (Pattabhiramanagar ward), N.R Ramesh (Yediyur) and Somashekar (Shakambari Nagar ward) have to give the palike election a slip. An insider from the Congress party told DC  that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who went on city inspection tours over the last few weeks, has given a boost to the prospects of the party.

“Mr Siddaramaiah remained passive about urban infrastructure development in the city for the last two years. In his last budget, he barely gave what the city needed. He cut down BJP’s budget allocation in the BBMP and turned down a few proposals. The city, which was run by the BJP-run palike till its term ended, has also not seen any major development work in the last two years. All these issues should give a boost to the Congress in the city,” a party source said. What could also work for the party are major announcements that have taken place in the last five weeks during the CM’s inspections. He has given a green signal to projects like elevated corridors, multi-level parking complex, road development and additional funds, which are a big boost to the city, they said. The BJP seems to be spoiling its chances, as some party MLAs have refused to contest the BBMP elections, said a source from the BJP.

“Senior party leaders and MLAs have not bothered to provide an opportunity to eligible candidates, who have lost their wards in the reservation, to contest election from another ward. Even potential winning candidates have no option but to field their wives or stay at home. Some MLAs have made hay during the BJP rule in the state and are disinterested in this poll, which will further give an advantage to the Congress,” added the source. 

Final reservation matrix

In a major turn of events, the government submitted the final list of ward reservation for the 198 BBMP wards on Tuesday. It has stuck to its initial notification issued in April and as per the changed list, 87 of the 113 former BJP corporators will not be able to contest elections from their wards.

Amid reports that the government may appeal against the High Court order, the State Election Commission (SEC) is all geared up to conduct the elections on July 26. According to unconfirmed reports, the results will be announced on July 29, as the new council must be formed before August 5.

The SEC is expected to announce the calendar of events on Thursday and election code of conduct will be enforced from June 26. District in-charge minister Ramalinga Reddy held a meeting with BBMP Administrator T.M. Vijay Bhaskar and BBMP Commissioner G. Kumar Naik regarding elections. Speaking to DC later, he said the Congress would win at least 100 seats and that he is confident of the party’s success.