Delimitation draft out, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike wards to rise from 198 to 243

BENGALURU: The Karnataka urban development department on Thursday published the BBMP's draft ward delimitation report that seeks to increase the number of wards in the city limits from 198 to 243. The notification said the public can submit to the government their objections and suggestions, if any, on the report within 15 days.
While some assembly constituencies have lost a few wards in the delimitation exercise, other segments look bloated with the addition of wards in their jurisdiction.
The draft was released after Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai approved it. People can go to http://bbmpdelimitation2022.com and read the report with details of previous wards as well as wards proposed in the delimitation exercise.
TOI, in its Wednesday edition, highlighted the delay in publishing the report.
A surface reading of the report shows that three assembly constituencies - Shivajinagar, Chamarajpet and Jayanagar - have lost one ward each. Earlier, these segments had seven wards each. All three assembly constituencies are represented by Congress.
On the other hand, Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Bommanahalli have the highest number of wards with 14 each. Earlier, Rajarajeshwari Nagar had nine wards and Bommanahalli eight. Both segments are represented by BJP.
'Delimitation based on booths'
The delimitation panel has retained the status of Malleswaram and Gandhinagar assembly constituencies. Former councillors said delimitation has been executed based on booths. For instance, some areas which were not even 1km from their ward offices have been bracketed under new wards. This will mean the distance between the ward offices and their constituents has increased. A former corporator said, "The wards have been carved out based on caste, vote bank and booth. This is highly unscientific and we will raise objections."
Abdul Wajid, a former councillor, told TOI the state government must upload the details with maps to understand the redrawing of areas and streets into new wards. "Otherwise, it will become difficult for the public to understand and raise objections," he said, adding that one of the aims of the exercise is to hurt the opposition parties electorally.