Media Release

Mangaluru, Nov 11: Karnataka Ward Samithi-Vedike would like to thank for the overwhelming support for Area-Sabhas (AS) and Ward-Committees (WC), in Mangaluru and happy to inform that more than 2/3 of 180 candidates have confirmed their support to Ward-Level Governance through AS and WCs.

We have already collected about 25 affidavits duly signed and will collect some more, as most candidates are busy. Most signatories are independent candidates and members of KRS, CPI(M) and SDPI party.

We met party heads of BJP, Congress, KRS and SDPI to explain the reason behind signing affidavits by candidates. Barring Congress, all party heads are overwhelmingly in support of people’s rule through AS and WCs.

The BJP in charge, captain Ganesh Karnik, was pleased to get details from us and modified BJP manifesto to include Area-Sabhas also. We got Signatures from KRS and SDPI, while BJP will have an internal process of compliance.

The above activity was in the backdrop of KWSV members deciding to make the formation of AS and WCs, an election issue, where candidates will seek votes promising citizen’s rule if they get elected.

The KMC Act mandates all Ward-Developmental plans originate through Area-Sabha meetings, where voters decide where to spend the money and then the Ward-Committees not only passes the plans but also monitor them.

Hon’ble High Court has ordered formation of AS and WC in Mangaluru, immediately after Elections, as prayed in our PIL 53244/2018. However, another order of Hon’ble HC was to notify Areas in Mangaluru, which has not been obeyed. The undersigned, being a petitioner in above PIL, will initiate contempt of court petition, in coming weeks to ensure compliance of the court order.

We hope that with support, all ward works will be decided by citizens of Mangaluru.