Civic body polls likely to be delayed further

Bangalore, Dec 30 (UNI) Elections to local bodies in Karnataka are likely to be delayed further as the electoral rolls of over two thirds of the total 213 civic bodies were yet to be finalised.

According to official sources here, the voters list of over 163 civic bodies, including CMCs, TMCs and Town Panchayats, have not been prepared, eventhough the term of some CMCs and TMCs have ended long back.

The State Election Commission sources informed that the electoral rolls of only 63 TMCs have been kept ready and the process was in various stages in over 143 local bodies.

While the process of delimitation of wards of all 213 civic bodies have been completed, the fixation of reservation for SCs, STs and OBC category was yet to be announced by the State Government.

The sources informed that the response from the State Government was lukewarm with regard to finalisation of voters list and classification of reservations for wards, despite taking measures to complete the pre-poll processes much early.

Earlier, the Congress had warned the Government of State-wide agitation if the polls were further postponed. The State Congress leaders have also petitioned the Karnataka Governor, urging him to prevail upon the Government to announce elections to the civic bodies.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy dismissed the Congress allegation, stating that the polls would be announced shortly after finalisation of reservation of wards, which was under progress.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular), partners in the coalition Government in the State, have announced that it would fight the local body polls on its own strength.

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