Bengaluru: A day after the Supreme Court directed the state govt to complete the election process for the newly constituted Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) by June 30, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar asserted Tuesday that it would be conducted in line with the stipulated timeline. He said all necessary directions would be issued to the State Election Commission (SEC) to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls.Addressing the media in Bengaluru, Shivakumar reiterated that the govt would extend full cooperation to the SEC. “The SEC has submitted an affidavit to the court, and it is now for them to act. From the govt’s side, all required orders will be issued. We also have to conduct district and taluk panchayat elections, and decisions will be taken in accordance with the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments,” he said.
Dismissing the speculation that the elections would serve as a political litmus test for him or the Congress, he said: “What’s the challenge? Conducting elections is my duty. By holding these polls, we’re empowering party workers and preparing the next line of leadership. We are confident that the public will support the work we have been doing for the city, and we’ll win in all 5 corporations,” he said.Commenting on the possibility of a BJP–JD(S) alliance in the GBA elections, Shivakumar said the Congress was prepared for any scenario. “Let them do whatever they want — contest together or separately. If they fight assembly and municipal elections together, as they did during the parliamentary polls, it will actually help, as it becomes a direct contest instead of a triangular one,” he said.Referring to technical objections raised over the proposed poll plan, Shivakumar said the govt had received representations and constituted a committee to examine them. “Some people submitted objections, and a committee was formed to address these issues. The SEC will conduct the elections, and we’ll issue any necessary instructions. There are claims about reduced reservations for women, which I did not notice. If there are any mistakes, they will be corrected,” he said.He also clarified that the govt would not seek any extension from the Supreme Court to conduct the elections.A correctionIn a report on former councillors’ views on GBA polls (page 2, Jan 13), the quote of Ramila R should have been attributed to Umashankar D.
