Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Friday, 10 July accused the state government of deliberately stonewalling elections to local bodies, including the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and zilla panchayats, alleging that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was being weaponised as a pretext to indefinitely defer civic polls.

The GBA Election Delay

The Karnataka government has approached the Supreme Court seeking an extension until 31 December to conduct elections to the GBA civic corporations, citing the in-progress SIR of electoral rolls as justification. Critics within the opposition argue this is the latest in a series of deferrals that have left Bengaluru's civic governance in limbo.

'The government has no intention of holding elections to the Greater Bengaluru Authority or zilla panchayats. It is now using the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise as an excuse to once again postpone the GBA elections. It is unfortunate,' Vijayendra told reporters.

Cabinet Expansion and Governance Failures

Vijayendra also alleged that the state government was unable to proceed with a Cabinet expansion owing to its internal political situation. He pointed to a backlog of 80,000 pending official files as evidence of administrative dysfunction.

'If 80,000 files are still pending, it reflects the state of governance in Karnataka. The Chief Minister has completed one month in office with great enthusiasm. At least now, he should rectify the failures of the past three years and focus on governance and the welfare of farmers,' he said.

Street Vendor Evictions Draw Criticism

The BJP leader also took aim at the government's handling of street vendor evictions, arguing that authorities had failed to make alternative arrangements before displacing vendors from public spaces.

'Street vendors play an important role in strengthening the economy. Instead of evicting poor vendors overnight, the government should have made alternative arrangements for them. It is the government's responsibility to protect their interests,' Vijayendra said.

PRC Proposal Termed 'Anti-National'

Vijayendra reserved his sharpest criticism for the Karnataka government's reported proposal to issue Permanent Residency Certificates (PRCs), alleging it amounted to a conspiracy to shield illegal immigrants. He called on the Chief Minister to withdraw the proposal, describing it as 'minority appeasement' and against national interest.

The BJP, he said, would launch a public awareness campaign against the PRC move in the coming days. This comes amid a broader national debate over residency documentation and its implications for voter rolls — a context that gives the allegation added political charge.

With the Supreme Court deadline looming and civic governance in Karnataka's largest city under scrutiny, the BJP's offensive signals an intensifying battle over Bengaluru's administrative future ahead of any eventual local body polls.