Bengaluru, July 10 (IANS) Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Friday urged the state government to respect the Supreme Court’s directions and conduct elections to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), alleging that the Congress government was attempting to delay the polls out of fear of defeat.
Addressing a press conference at the state BJP headquarters, Narayanaswamy said Bengaluru residents had been waiting for civic body elections for a long time.
“The government must honour the Supreme Court’s order and conduct the GBA elections. The Congress government has several reasons to avoid the polls. Bengaluru is grappling with poor infrastructure, pothole-ridden roads, garbage issues and flooding whenever it rains. The government fears facing the electorate,” he alleged.
He accused the Congress government of dividing Bengaluru into five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority framework to improve its electoral prospects.
“They have split Kempegowda’s Bengaluru into five corporations in the hope that even if they lose in some places, they can claim representation by winning one or two corporations,” he alleged.
Narayanaswamy also criticised the state government’s decision to seek an extension from the Supreme Court for conducting the civic elections, saying the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was merely being used as an excuse.
“They realised it would be difficult to win even one corporation if elections were held now. Therefore, they have approached the Supreme Court citing the SIR exercise,” he alleged.
Defending the electoral roll revision, Narayanaswamy said the SIR process did not deprive anyone of voting rights but was intended to remove ineligible names from the electoral rolls.
“How can the names of deceased persons remain on the voters’ list? They have to be deleted. Similarly, if people have been included in the electoral rolls without valid documents, their names must also be removed,” he said.
He alleged that forms were being filled in groups during the SIR exercise and said the BJP had brought the matter to the notice of the Election Commission. He added that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Booth Level Agents (BLA-2s) should carry out door-to-door verification.
Turning to Bengaluru’s infrastructure, Narayanaswamy accused the Congress government of neglecting the city’s development over the past three years.
“Bengaluru’s development is not something to be discussed endlessly; it requires action. Were they asleep for the last three years? The present Chief Minister himself was in charge of Bengaluru. Why did he not address these issues then?” he asked.
Narayanaswamy urged the government to immediately repair potholes, improve drainage and remove garbage before the monsoon intensified.
“If heavy rains continue, people may have to travel by boat. The government should ensure that stormwater drains are cleared and water flows freely,” he said.
The BJP leader also alleged large-scale corruption in road repair works, claiming that while potholes were earlier repaired at much lower costs, recent works had become disproportionately expensive.
“People say that repairing a single pothole has cost nearly Rs 1 lakh. The Chief Minister should order an inquiry into these allegations. In rural areas, that amount is enough to dig a well and provide drinking water,” he said.
Narayanaswamy further urged the Congress government to focus on the development of the entire state rather than only Bengaluru.
On the proposed issuance of Permanent Residency Certificates (PRCs), he questioned the state’s authority to introduce such a measure.
“Who are they to issue Permanent Residency Certificates? Permanent residency is closely linked to citizenship, and that does not fall within the jurisdiction of the state government,” he said.
It may be noted that the Karnataka government has sought an extension from the Supreme Court till December 31 to conduct elections to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) civic corporations, citing the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.
–IANS
mka/uk