Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, on Friday, 10 July called on the state government to comply with the Supreme Court's directions and hold elections to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) without further delay. Addressing a press conference at the state BJP headquarters, Narayanaswamy alleged that the Congress government was deliberately stalling the polls out of fear of electoral defeat.

Key Allegations Against the Congress Government

Narayanaswamy argued that Bengaluru residents had waited long enough for civic body elections and that the government had no legitimate reason to postpone them. 'The government must honour the Supreme Court's order and conduct the GBA elections. The Congress government has several reasons to avoid the polls. Bengaluru is grappling with poor infrastructure, pothole-ridden roads, garbage issues and flooding whenever it rains. The government fears facing the electorate,' he alleged.

He further accused the Congress of restructuring Bengaluru into five city corporations under the GBA framework as a tactical electoral move. 'They have split Kempegowda's Bengaluru into five corporations in the hope that even if they lose in some places, they can claim representation by winning one or two corporations,' he alleged.

SIR Extension: Excuse or Necessity?

The Karnataka government has sought an extension from the Supreme Court until 31 December to hold GBA elections, citing the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Narayanaswamy dismissed this justification, alleging the SIR exercise was being used as a pretext. 'They realised it would be difficult to win even one corporation if elections were held now. Therefore, they have approached the Supreme Court citing the SIR exercise,' he said.

At the same time, Narayanaswamy defended the SIR process itself, clarifying that it was meant to remove ineligible entries — including deceased persons and those enrolled without valid documents — rather than disenfranchise legitimate voters. He alleged, however, that forms were being filled in groups during the exercise and said the BJP had flagged the matter to the Election Commission of India (ECI), urging Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Booth Level Agents (BLA-2s) to conduct door-to-door verification.

Bengaluru's Infrastructure Crisis

Narayanaswamy trained his criticism on the city's deteriorating civic conditions, pointing to potholes, choked stormwater drains, and recurring urban flooding. 'If heavy rains continue, people may have to travel by boat. The government should ensure that stormwater drains are cleared and water flows freely,' he said.

He also alleged large-scale corruption in road repair contracts, claiming that repairing a single pothole had reportedly cost nearly ₹1 lakh in recent works — a figure he described as disproportionate. 'The Chief Minister should order an inquiry into these allegations. In rural areas, that amount is enough to dig a well and provide drinking water,' he said. Notably, he pointed out that the current Chief Minister himself had previously held charge of Bengaluru's development portfolio, questioning why civic issues were left unaddressed during that period.

Permanent Residency Certificates: A Constitutional Question

Narayanaswamy also questioned the state government's reported proposal to issue Permanent Residency Certificates (PRCs), arguing that permanent residency is intrinsically linked to citizenship — a subject that falls under the Union government's jurisdiction, not the state's. 'Who are they to issue Permanent Residency Certificates? Permanent residency is closely linked to citizenship, and that does not fall within the jurisdiction of the state government,' he said.

What Happens Next

The Supreme Court's response to Karnataka's extension plea until 31 December will be pivotal. Should the court reject the extension, the state will face a hard deadline for GBA elections. The BJP has signalled it will continue to mount political pressure, both in the legislature and through public mobilisation, as Bengaluru's civic governance remains a flashpoint heading into the election cycle.