Karnataka faces delays in local body elections, putting Rs 18,948 crore in grants at jeopardy
Significant delays in holding elections for urban local bodies (ULBs), such as the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), taluk panchayats (TPs), and zilla panchayats (ZPs) have left Karnataka struggling financially. According to a source, the state has 16 months to finish these elections in order to continue receiving its portion of the Rs 18,948 crore allotted by the 15th Finance Commission for 2021–2026.
According to the report, a 65:35 ratio of Rs 12,539 crore is allocated to rural local bodies (RLBs) and Rs 6,409 crore to ULBs. However, because of the postponed elections, the Finance Ministry has withheld Rs 2,842 crore, or 15% of the 2023–24 allotment. Funding for ZPs, TPs, and BBMP is blocked since these councils dissolve at the end of their periods, but gram panchayats, which are operational, continue to get funding.
ZP and TP polls have been past due since May 2022, and BBMP elections have been postponed since September 2021. Elections for Tumkur and Davanagere city corporations were scheduled for January and February of 2025, respectively, but those for Shivamogga Mahanagara Palike and Mysuru City Corporation were only concluded in November 2023.
Priyank Kharge, minister of rural development and panchayat raj, admitted that funding has been difficult to obtain in ZPs and TPs due to the absence of operational councils. According to the news source, he promised that measures are being taken to speed up elections. The state administration has been warned about the possibility of money running out by the 5th State Finance Commission, which is headed by former Lok Sabha member C Narayanaswamy. The necessity of holding elections on time is emphasized in the State Finance Commission’s second report, which is anticipated to be completed by December for the fiscal year 2025–2026.
Since the ZP-TP elections are frequently viewed as a prelude to assembly elections, they present serious political dangers for the Congress government. Amid accusations of corruption, these elections, which will take place in every district, may intensify anti-incumbency feelings. A statewide battle is anticipated from the BJP, which is actively preparing for the BBMP elections. Legally speaking, the state government is being accused by the Karnataka State Election Commission of neglecting to announce ZP-TP constituency reservations following delimitation, and the commission has filed a contempt petition in the high court. On November 25, the Supreme Court will consider a petition calling for early BBMP elections, and on November 27, the high court will hear this case.
The Karnataka State Election Commission is ready to hold the polls as soon as possible and is hoping for favorable verdicts, according to state election commissioner GS Sangresh, who expressed optimism about the legal outcomes.
