DK Shivakumar hints at ‘big guarantee’ for Bengaluru ahead of GBA elections

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said a “big guarantee” for Bengaluru city will be announced on May 13, ahead of the upcoming Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) polls. However, Shivakumar did not reveal further details about the announcement.

The statement comes days after Karnataka State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi said elections to the five city corporations under the GBA would be held anytime between June 14 and June 24, with the exact polling date to be announced soon.

“With Surjewala, we held a political meeting. But today, I called a meeting of officials and gave certain instructions. On May 13 we are giving a big guarantee for Bengaluru city, I will inform you about it on May 13,” Shivakumar, who is also the Minister in charge of Bengaluru Development, told reporters.

Shivakumar was responding to questions regarding a meeting held with chief minister Siddaramaiah, senior Congress leaders and AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala over preparations for the GBA polls.

According to party sources, Congress leaders discussed preparations for the elections in the event that the Supreme Court rejects the GBA or the state government’s request to postpone the polls, citing manpower issues due to the ongoing SIR and census exercise.

Congress MLA and the chief minister’s legal advisor A S Ponnanna, who attended the meeting with Surjewala, said conducting the GBA polls would be a “challenge” for the state government as officials responsible for election duties are currently engaged in the SIR and census exercise.

He said the government would present the factual situation before the Supreme Court and abide by the court’s decision.

“As the SIR and census are held as per the orders of the central government, officials are participating compulsorily, and it will go on till June, when the officials will make preparations for elections. Holding the election is the challenge before the government of Karnataka,” he told reporters.

Ponnanna said the meeting also discussed measures related to conducting the elections, including forming committees and preparing the manifesto. Discussions were also held on possible steps if the elections cannot be conducted immediately.

“As the matter is before the Supreme Court and as the election has to be held as per the court order, it was discussed about bringing to the notice of the Supreme Court as to how the ongoing SIR and census will hinder conducting elections as per its directions,” he said.

The Supreme Court had earlier directed the Karnataka government and the State Election Commission to conduct Bengaluru local body elections by June 30.

The tenure of the previous elected body under the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) ended on September 10, 2020. Since then, the city’s civic administration has been handled by a government-appointed administrator.