Ex-corporators anticipate delay in MCC poll

Mangaluru: Former council members of the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) anticipate that elections for the urban local body will be delayed by at least six months to one year. Several members believe the govt lacks urgency in conducting elections for MCC's 60 wards, despite the BJP's five-year term concluding on Feb 27. The State Election Commission (SEC) remains on standby for the final notification regarding ward-wise reservation before declaring MCC elections. However, the govt has yet to provide any updates on this matter.
Former mayor and BJP leader Sudheer Shetty Kannur said, "I think the govt is in no hurry to hold an election to the city corporation. They may choose to delay the announcement of the reservation, and thereby, the election will also be delayed." He said the BJP is ready for the election and sure of its victory in the city corporation again, and the party has been making all preparations to face it.
Out of 60 wards in the MCC, the BJP bagged 44, Congress won in 14, and two seats went to SDPI in the election held in 2019. Senior Congress leaders too have hinted about a delay on the part of the govt in holding the election to the city corporation. Former mayor and Congress leader Shashidhar Hegde said that elections were not held for the city corporations of Mysuru and Tumakuru even after one year. "There is no possibility of holding an election only for Mangaluru City Corporation alone. The govt will hold elections for all the city corporations together," he said.
Former corporator Naveen D'Souza of the Congress said the govt may not consider an election during the monsoons. The MCC officially communicated to the urban development department in Nov 2024 informing about the end of BJP's tenure in the city corporation. Meanwhile, in reply to an appeal made by a citizen, the under secretary to the SEC stated that it is the state govt's responsibility to finalise ward delimitation and reservation for 60 wards of the city corporation. If delayed, the SEC will proceed as per Supreme Court directives. The SEC also stated that it will take initiatives immediately when the state govt makes the final gazette notification regarding the reservation to MCC.