Govt will go by SC directive on holding Bengaluru civic body polls by June 30: D K Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said the state government will go by the Supreme Court's directive and hold the long-pending elections to the five city corporations, under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), before June 30.
Shivakumar, who is also the minister in charge of Bengaluru development and state Congress chief, has expressed confidence about Congress winning all five corporations in the city.
The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Karnataka government and the state election body to hold Bengaluru local body polls by June 30.
The tenure of the earlier elected body, under the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), expired on September 10, 2020, and since then, a government-appointed administrator has been taking care of its day-to-day affairs.
Bengaluru was divided into five new municipal corporations--Central, East, West, North, and South--under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) in September 2025, replacing the single Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
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"We will go by the Supreme Court order. We are preparing to conduct polls by June 30 as the court has directed. The State Election Commission has filed some affidavits; it is left to them, but the state government will issue necessary orders. We want to hold the zilla and taluk panchayat polls too. We will make necessary preparations regarding what has to be done as per the 73rd and 74th amendments of the Constitution," Shivakumar said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, the state election commission will hold the polls, and they have been told that the government is ready for it.
"We have done whatever has to be done as per the timeline. There were some objections regarding reservation (ward reservation for polls), stating that fewer wards have been reserved for women. I have not seen it. I will look into it, and if it needs to be rectified, I will ask the authorities to take necessary action. We will not interfere in it," he added.
Making it clear that the government will not seek more time to hold polls, Shivakumar expressed confidence about Congress winning all five corporations in Bengaluru.
"It is our duty to hold polls and give power to party workers. We are preparing new leaders. We (Congress) are confident that for the work we have done, the guarantee schemes we have given, and the way in which we are changing Bengaluru, people will show confidence in us and we will win in all five corporations," he said.
Asked about the BJP and JD(S) planning to have a friendly contest in GBA polls, the Deputy CM felt it would be good for Congress if they went together.
"Let them do whatever they want, let them go together or go separately. The only thing is that, in my opinion, if they go together once for all, if they fight together as they did in the Lok Sabha polls, it will be good for us.
Straight fight is more important than a triangle fight," he said.
The BJP, which had opposed the splitting of the previous BBMP into five corporations, has said it is prepared to take on the ruling Congress in the polls.
Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka has said that the BJP, since the beginning, has been demanding that the polls be held.
"Hold the polls soon, we are ready. Potholes on roads under the Congress administration are enough for us to win the polls. Congress will lose the election because of their sins and for betraying the people of Bengaluru," he had told reporters on Monday, adding that issues like the number of people losing their lives due to bad roads, the garbage issue, deteriorating law and order situation are sufficient.
Ashoka, however, clarified that the party's central leadership would take a call on alliance with the JD(S) for the GBA polls.
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Kohli, Rohit actively involved in planning: Kotak
Rajkot (PTI): Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain actively involved in India's long-term ODI planning, including preparations for next year's World Cup, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said on Tuesday.
Kotak said the two batting superstars, who remain at the forefront of India’s batting firepower in the 50-overs format, are completely aligned with the team management, including head coach Gautam Gambhir.
"They definitely make plans. Now that they're playing only one format, they want India to win everywhere when they are there," Kotak told the media on the eve of India’s second ODI against New Zealand.
"With the amount of experience they have, they can share a lot of ideas with other players, and they do discuss. They discuss with Gautam the ODI format, the matches that we have and our plans for South Africa."
"Most of the time I'm there and if I'm listening, they definitely share the experience and I always see them talking. Obviously, on social media, you see a lot of things which I try to avoid seeing. But (from) what I see, there are a lot of positives," Kotak added.
The equation between Kohli, Rohit and the new coaching setup has been under scrutiny in recent months, especially after India’s struggles in the Test format and the transition that saw both batters step away from red-ball cricket before last year’s England tour.
Kotak, meanwhile, said India would need a revision of their batting template for ODIs once the T20 World Cup ends in March, keeping in mind the new one-ball rule after the 34th over mark.
As per the change in playing conditions bowling teams have to pick any one of the two balls to continue bowling from overs 35-50.
"It's still a huge difference between in T20Is and ODIs. More or less every game is going over 300, particularly in India. We see more 300-plus scores and then (at times) you're chasing as well."
"After (the) T20 World Cup, I think there'll definitely be more ODIs. We'll have to set up one template as to how we play after this new rule of (having) 34 overs only have one ball."
Kotak said possessing all-round skills was the reason for Ayush Badoni’s maiden call-up to the national side when Washington Sundar was ruled out.
"He’s been performing and it’s (the) selectors who pick the team. If we had only five bowlers (in first ODI) and Washington got injured on fourth (or the) fifth over, then who would have bowled those overs?," Kotak said.
"Somebody should be able to bowl four-five or (even) three-four overs, whatever (the situation) requires. I think that would be the reason (for his selection) and he has scored runs (and) he can bowl. He's been performing in IPL also,” Kotak added.
Kotak did not read much into Badoni’s recent lack of returns in the Vijay Hazare Trophy — 16 runs and four wickets in five matches — and said he’s not the only option to pick from among all-rounders in the Indian side.
“Our boys, (the) amount of cricket they play, I don't think for any batter two (or) three innings would make any difference, and it shouldn’t,” he said.
"... because if you are scoring 300 plus or you are trying to chase 300 plus, people are going aggressive. They will have a couple of innings here and there. If we start worrying about that, then people will have to start playing defensive, which we can't afford."
"The team (for second ODI) will be decided tonight (Tuesday). But all-rounder-wise, he is there (and) Nitish Reddy is in the team. We have two all-rounders and it’s not only him," he added.
The former Saurashtra batter dismissed concerns over Ravindra Jadeja’s form in ODI cricket and his future.
"I don't think I'm anyone to answer about any player's future but I'll still tell you that if you ask about Ravindra, he's fit (and) he's performing and for anyone, as long as they are performing and they are enjoying the game, any player would want to play and do well for India and do well for the team."
