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).
ALSO READ: Woman’s video of crossing busy Bengaluru road goes viral, calls it "negotiating with destiny"
"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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
