GBA elections will be held within Supreme Court deadline, says DCM DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Jan 13: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday on Monday said that elections to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) would be conducted within the timeline stipulated by the Supreme Court ruling out any move to seek additional time.
Speaking to reporters at Palace Grounds, Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, said the State government would issue all necessary directions to the State Election Commission to ensure compliance with the court’s order. “We will conduct elections for the GBA as per the Supreme Court order. The government will give all necessary directions in this regard,” he said.
On the deadline fixed by the apex court, the Deputy Chief Minister said the State Election Commission had already submitted an affidavit and the matter now lay with the constitutional body. “The government will do whatever is required. Elections to Zilla and Taluk Panchayats also need to be conducted, and we will take all steps necessary under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments,” he added.
Addressing concerns over technical objections raised by some stakeholders, Shivakumar said a committee had been constituted to examine the issues. “Some technical objections have been submitted. The committee will look into them, after which we will issue instructions to the Election Commission,” he said. He also acknowledged concerns over the adequacy of women’s reservation and said the Commission would be directed to examine the matter, while underlining that the government would not interfere in the election process.
Asked whether the State would approach the Supreme Court seeking more time, Shivakumar categorically ruled it out.
‘Confident people will support us’
Downplaying suggestions that local body elections would pose a political challenge, Shivakumar said conducting elections was the government’s constitutional duty. “We are empowering party workers and preparing new leaders. We are confident of doing well in all five corporations,” he said.
‘Let BJP and JDS fight together’
Responding to questions on a possible understanding between the BJP and JD(S), Shivakumar said it made little difference to the ruling party. “Let them do whatever they want — fight separately or together. If they continue with the same arrangement they had during the Parliamentary elections, it will be a direct fight,” he said.