Deputy CM evades questions about Bangalore civic polls

The Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, avoided questions regarding the upcoming polls for Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) during a press meet. The High Court of Karnataka has granted the State government 12 weeks to redraw ward boundaries, which means the elections are unlikely to happen in the next three months. Although Mr. Shivakumar previously expressed interest in holding the polls, sources say he changed his stance as Congress MLAs are opposed to the idea. Some Congress MLAs want to reverse ward boundaries drawn by the previous government, which they believe favored the saffron party. Though Mr. Shivakumar did mention that a committee will be formed for delimitation, he did not address the polls, turning away silently when asked about it. It is rumored that the government may postpone the polls until after the Lok Sabha elections. On the other hand, Mr. Shivakumar is eyeing splitting BBMP and introducing a new law to streamline administration. However, Amaresh S., activist and Managing Trustee of Right Information Centre (RIC), alleges that Congress is not interested in holding the polls as it is thinking like BJP. He claims that by using delaying tactics, Congress is doing injustice to citizens who have been demanding polls. Mr. Shivakumar said that the government will form a new delimitation committee to redraw BBMP ward boundaries.