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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Siddaramaiah rejects CM change speculation after meeting Rahul Gandhi
Mysuru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday dismissed media speculation about a possible change in the state’s leadership, reiterating that he will abide by the Congress high command’s decision.
Speaking to reporters after briefly meeting top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at the airport, Siddaramaiah said there was no confusion within the party regarding leadership issues. He clarified that he did not hold any political discussions with Rahul Gandhi during the meeting.
"No discussion has taken place today, and none is scheduled for the evening. He (Rahul Gandhi) is en route to Gudalur in Tamil Nadu and will return here later to fly back to Delhi. I will see him off again," Siddaramaiah said.
Responding to questions about media reports on a possible leadership change, the CM said, "What speculations? You (the media) are the ones speculating. There is no such issue within the party. This question itself is baseless."
Addressing rumours of confusion over a potential Cabinet reshuffle, he added, "Where is the confusion? These are discussions in newspapers and media; there is no such thing in the party."
Speculation over a leadership tussle has intensified since the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, fueled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar at the time of the government’s formation in 2023.
Commenting on reports that legislators were giving dates for a leadership change, Siddaramaiah said, "Either D K Shivakumar or I would speak on this issue, as we are the ones who know. Have we spoken? No. In fact, legislators are not discussing it now; it is you (the media) who are discussing it."
When asked about Shivakumar and his supporters referencing promises regarding power transfer, he said, "When was this said? They have not said anything; you are creating it. Ultimately, we will abide by whatever the high command decides."
On the issue of MLAs publicly commenting on his tenure, Siddaramaiah said, "MLAs don’t know the details. The high command has not informed them. The decision will be taken as per the high command."
Referring to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s earlier remark that local leaders should resolve leadership issues, the CM said, "Shivakumar and I have had discussions and even visited each other’s homes for breakfast. We agreed to abide by the high command’s decision."
Siddaramaiah added that he would not be going to New Delhi immediately to discuss the proposed Cabinet reshuffle with the Congress leadership.
