Polls for Bengaluru corporation announced; Congress, BJP in big fight

BENGALURU: Elections to Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, the city corporation, will be held on July 28, with the ruling Congress and BJP, now controlling the civic body, set for a prestigious battle.

The State Election Commission today announced the poll schedule, after the Supreme Court last month directed holding of BBMP elections within three months after the government had sought to defer it on grounds of bifurcating the civic body.

Opposition BJP and JDS had brought the government in the line of fire, calling its move on bifurcation as an attempt to put off the polls as the ruling party was unsure of its victory.

As the matter went to High Court and later the apex court, with both directing holding of elections, the government had to fall in line.

The code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect and will apply to BBMP limits. It will be in place till August 1, the state election commission said in a statement.

While the elections to the 198 wards of BBMP will take place on July 28, counting of votes will be taken up on July 31. The process of filing of nominations will start on July 8 and end on July 15.

Total number of polling stations for the BBMP elections will be 6,733 for 71,22,165 voters, the Commission said, adding that Electronic Voting Machines would be used for the polls.

Welcoming the announcement of elections, BJP said the party will contest all the 198 seats and will repeat the performance of 2010, when it gained control of the corporation.

"Hope state government will not play any mischief further to scuttle the polls.

"We are confident people of Bangalore will once again support BJP in BBMP polls," it added.

Expressing confidence about Congress coming to power in BBMP, state Congress Chief G Parameahwara said it is an opportunity for the people of Bengaluru to free city from misrule and corruption by BJP.

"Congress is all prepared for the BBMP polls and we will contest all the 198 seats," he added.