Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Nov 16: Although it has been about two and half months since the election to 105 urban bodies was held, the power is yet to be transferred to the elected people's representatives. Currently, officials alone have been running these administrations for reasons best known to the state government.

Election for 20 town panchayats, 53 town municipalities, 29 city municipalities and three city corporations had been held on August 31 and result was announced on September 3. The government had also announced reservation criteria for the posts of heads and deputy heads for these bodies on the same day. However, within a few days, the government came out with fresh reservation list, making changes in certain local bodies like Karkala and Kundapur. Applications were filed objecting to the change in reservation criteria, as it was thought to be an exercise aimed at vesting power to the candidates from ruling coalition even in bodies where the opposition was in majority. The high court which initially stayed holding of election, later instructed the government to go ahead with the reservation list it had announced in the first instant. The deputy commissioners had said during October that they were awaiting the government's instructions to hold elections.

Later bypoll was held for three Lok Sabha and two assembly constituencies. Although the code of conduct was in force in a few districts then, the government continued to ignore holding of election. Although there is claim that some petitions have been filed in the high court by disgruntled persons, no stay has been issued for election so far. The situation brings back memories of 2013 when officials managed the urban bodies for six months.

BJP MLC, Kota Srinivas Poojary, said that the state government had changed reservation criteria in respect of certain bodies where opposition was in a position to rule, with the ulterior motive of usurping power through unfair means. He recalled that the government had filed affidavit in the court, agreeing to implement reservation criteria announced earlier. He said that the minister for municipal administration does not seem to be interested in holding election.

MLC, Pratapchandra Shetty of the Congress said that he does not justify political decisions. He felt that in the petition filed recently, the court would have asked for an opinion from the government and the process may be underway. He felt that there is no problem in holding election wherever there is no objection to the reservation criteria announced earlier.