BBMP polls likely to be held between June-August
Bengaluru: The long-pending elections for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) are expected to take place between June and August this year and the state government is reportedly making necessary preparations for the same.
The term of the previous BBMP council ended in September 2020, but elections have not been held yet. Former Congress councillors Abdul Wajid and M. Shivaraju had approached the High Court to push for quicker elections. However, the State Election Commission (SEC) cited pending ward delimitation and reservation finalisation as reasons for the delay, as reported by The Hindu on Wednesday.
The High Court had directed elections for 198 wards in 2020, but the government later expanded this number to 243 under the BBMP Act of 2020. A Supreme Court stay allowed the BJP-led government to proceed with the new wards. After a change in government in 2023, the number of wards was revised to 225.
Later, the government introduced the Greater Bengaluru Governance (GBA) Bill, 2024, which allows for the city’s civic body to be split into multiple corporations. A committee is reviewing the Bill, with its report expected by the end of this month.
Sources in the government told the publication that MLAs across party lines are split over the polls. While some MLAs were previously against holding elections, fearing it would shift power to councillors, others now believe the council is essential for smooth governance in the city.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy stated that the government is eager to pass the GBA Bill in the next Assembly session. “Once the Bill is passed, it will be sent to the Governor for assent. We are hopeful that the Bill will sail through. Under the GBA the BBMP will be split into multiple corporations and the elections will be held,” he was quoted as saying by The Hindu.
Reddy added that the state government is contemplating holding polls between June and August.
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Fadnavis rides motorcycle to Vidhan Bhavan, says PM Modi asked only for 'small sacrifices'
Mumbai (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday rode a motorcycle to the Vidhan Bhavan here and later defended the Centre's austerity measures, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi has only "asked people to make small sacrifices".
He also criticised the Opposition for creating "unnecessary controversy" over the matter, adding that questioning the PM's foreign visits - aimed at strategic alliances and economic benefits - was "sheer foolishness".
Fadnavis arrived at the Vidhan Bhavan in South Mumbai on a motorbike from his residence 'Varsha', with BJP leader and minister Ashish Shelar accompanying him, to attend the swearing-in of new members of the legislative council.
The move comes as part of the measures after PM Modi's appeal to conserve fuel and foreign exchange in view of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has disrupted global energy supplies. India relies heavily on West Asia for crude oil and gas imports.
On Wednesday, CM Fadnavis announced a series of austerity measures, including halving the number of vehicles in the convoys of his cabinet colleagues, and cancelling foreign tours of ministers and officials.
Addressing reporters here on Thursday, Fadnavis said the state government had curtailed convoys, cancelled avoidable foreign tours and decided against holding large government events for the next six months.
Targeting the Opposition, the CM said similar austerity measures had been adopted by previous governments, including during the tenures of former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and P V Narasimha Rao, as well as by former finance minister P Chidambaram in 2012.
"The Opposition needs to show some maturity. Countries across the world have taken even tougher decisions. The prime minister has only asked people to make small sacrifices while himself taking very tough decisions. Creating unnecessary controversy over this is not appropriate," he said.
Fadnavis said he travelled by motorcycle to send a message on fuel conservation, adding that symbolic actions by political leaders help spread awareness among people.
"When leaders act symbolically in this manner, the message reaches the people. That is why I came here on a motorcycle," he stressed.
The chief minister said all unnecessary foreign visits by officials and ministers had been stopped, and efforts were underway to reduce fuel consumption and save foreign exchange.
"We have reduced our convoys. Wherever petrol and diesel can be saved, wherever foreign exchange can be conserved, we are making every possible effort," he said.
Fadnavis said a major government event scheduled in Satara on Friday would, however, go ahead as it was planned in advance and expenditure had already been incurred.
He said around 25 lakh families would receive benefits valued at Rs 10,000 crore under the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana during the programme.
"After this event, however, no large government programmes will be organised over the next six months," he added.
The CM also dismissed criticism on social media over PM Modi's foreign visits, saying overseas trips aimed at strategic alliances and economic gains for the country should not be equated with avoidable travel.
"The appeal is only against unnecessary foreign travel. It does not mean businessmen should cancel important overseas deals. Criticising the prime minister's foreign visits is sheer foolishness," he said.
