DK Shivakumar
Elections to Zilla Panchayats, Taluk Panchayats, Gram Panchayats and urban local bodies in Karnataka will be held in the next three to four months, CM DK Shivakumar said on October 31, asking Congress workers to begin preparations immediately.
The announcement comes amid prolonged delays in holding local body elections across the state. Zilla and Taluk Panchayat elections have not been held since February 2016, while last Gram Panchayat elections took place in December 2020. Bengaluru's last Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (now GBA) elections were held in August 2015.
The absence of elected local representatives has been a longstanding concern for citizens, particularly in Bengaluru, where civic administration is being handled by officials in the absence of an elected municipal council. Residents have often pointed to the limited accessibility of officials and MLAs compared with elected ward corporators in addressing neighbourhood-level civic issues.
Successive governments have deferred local body elections for various reasons. The delay has also drawn criticism over the absence of elected representatives at the grassroots level.
Shivakumar's announcement comes as the state prepares for the next round of rural and urban local body polls. The elections are also expected to be politically significant ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections, giving parties an opportunity to assess their grassroots support and strengthen their organisational networks.
he final electoral roll published on October 27 following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) showed a decline in Karnataka's electorate to 4.55 crore, a reduction of 99.32 lakh voters. Bengaluru's electorate fell to 59.08 lakh from 1.03 crore recorded on June 16.
Congress leaders believe the impact of the deletions on the party's support base will become clearer during local body elections. The polls will also give the party an opportunity to strengthen its organisation ahead of Assembly elections.
Addressing Congress workers in Mandya, Shivakumar said party would return to power in the 2028 Assembly elections and urged cadres to start working towards that goal.
He asked party workers to set aside personal differences, identify capable leaders at every level and work collectively to strengthen the organisation.
Shivakumar was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the Mandya District Congress Committee's Indira Bhavan near Holalu Circle.
Guarantee committees in every panchayat
The CM said six-member guarantee committees would be formed in every panchayat to connect beneficiaries of the government's five guarantee schemes with the party organisation.
MLAs and party leaders had been asked to complete their formation within four to five days. The committees would maintain contact with beneficiaries and provide information about government schemes.
He also announced plans to establish Bharat Jodo Youth Associations, with at least 250 members in every panchayat. Meetings would be held every 15 days, alongside sports and cultural activities.
Rs 2,000 crore sanctioned for Mandya
Shivakumar said the state government had sanctioned more than Rs 2,000 crore for development works in Mandya, including irrigation projects.
He said alternative land was being identified to compensate for the forest land required for the project. Land acquisition would begin after the Centre grants forest clearance. He expressed hope that approval would come by the next Budget and urged BJP leaders to cooperate in securing the necessary clearances.
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