Karnataka High Court to State Election Commission: Stay put on BBMP polls till April 22

BENGALURU: Following more than two hours of hearing on the state government's appeal challenging a single-judge order to hold the BBMP polls before May 30, the Karnataka High Court on Monday stayed any further proceedings, including declaration of the election schedule by the State Election Commission till April 22.

The division bench comprising Chief Justice D.H. Waghela and Justice Ram Mohan Reddy passed the orders before it proposed to hear the appeal for final disposal on April 22. Earlier, the advocate for the SEC, Mr Phanindra, submitted before the court that the poll panel was expected to hold a media briefing later in the day to announce the of calendar of events for the polls.

The advocate general submitted before the court that the situation that existed when the single judge ordered the polls and the present situation, after the government has superceded the BBMP, are different. The BBMP supercession gives the state government six months to conduct the polls. Conducting the polls at this stage before the trifurcation will lead to more financial problems for the BBMP, the argued.

The court also expressed its dissatisfaction over the SEC not conducting the polls on time.

Order against administrators

A single judge bench on Monday passed an interim order, restraining administrator officers appointed by the state government from taking any administrative decisions till April 22.

The court also issued notices to the state government, BBMP administrative officer, SEC, and others, while directing the state to place before the court the documents related to the BBMP supercession and others.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Mr Mohan Kumar and others, seeking a stay on the notification superceding the BBMP.

MP files PIL, seeks polls

Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar has filed a PIL along with Namma Bengaluru Foundation seeking electionsto the existing BBMP, irrespective of its dissolution or proposed trifurcation.

The petition alleges that the government has used several dilatory tactics to delay the elections. The court, which admitted the PIL, posted it for hearing on Wednesday.