Congress MLA says ruling BJP has increased the number of wards in the constituencies they occupy
Congress MLA says ruling BJP has increased the number of wards in the constituencies they occupy
BENGALURU: The opposition Congress has strongly objected to the draft delimitation of 243 wards in the city, which has been notified by the state government for objections on Thursday. Terming it as “politically motivated” and calling it a “draft prepared in the RSS office”, he has indicated to challenge it legally if his objections are not taken into account and suitable changes are made. This has once again put a question mark on the municipal elections.
“Only three constituencies – Shivajinagar, Chamarajpet and Jayanagar – with a significant minority population in all three, have seen a reduction in the number of wards. It is very clear that these constituencies have been targeted,” said Rizwan Arshad, MLA, Shivajinagar. “We will study the draft carefully and submit our objections. If the government does not listen to them, then we will have no option but to go to court to challenge the draft.
“Almost all constituencies represented by the BJP have seen an increase in the number of wards, even those where there is no warrant. For example, core city constituencies such as Basavanagoudi and CV Raman Nagar have each seen an increase of two wards, which is difficult to explain. While constituencies such as Bommanahalli and RR Nagar have seen a huge increase, densely populated constituencies represented by the Congress such as Sarvagananagar have seen only a marginal increase in the number of wards. It is very clear that the ruling BJP has increased the number of wards in its constituencies to ensure an upper hand in the BBMP council,” said Krishna Byre Gowda, MLA from Byatarayanapura.
As against the existing 198 wards, 106 wards – 55% – are in the 15 constituencies represented by the BJP. However, under the new delimitation, 145 of the 243 wards – 60% – are in the same 15 constituencies that the BJP represents.
‘Clear motive to help BJP’
Another senior Congress leader said voter blocks in about eight areas across the city have been shifted from one assembly constituency to another in violation of rules, providing grounds for legal challenge. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee working president Ramalinga Reddy, MLA, BTM Layout, said due process was not followed in the delimitation of wards and termed the draft as “RSS draft”.
“During the exercise of the first delimitation, the revenue officers in each assembly constituency were involved in preparing the boundaries of the wards. No such exercise has been done this time. How did the delimitation committee reach these new wards without the work of the local officer? This is a draft prepared by BJP in Keshav Kripa and it is clear. They have cut wards without any proximity with the clear intention of helping the BJP.
NR Ramesh, Bengaluru South district president, BJP rejected the allegations that the draft delimitation was politically motivated. “Did the Congress conduct a politically motivated delimitation exercise last time as well? The exercise has been fair and has been carried out by the bureaucrats without any political interference.