Bengaluru, (DHNS): The Karnataka High Court on Friday set aside a single bench order which directed the State government and the State Election Commission (SEC) to hold BBMP polls by May 30.

The Opposition BJP?said that it will challenge the order in the apex court. While allowing the writ appeal by the State government seeking directions to quash the single bench order, a division bench comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice Ram Mohan Reddy passed orders to hold BBMP polls but did not fix a time limit.

The bench, however, observed that election was required to be held and completed before expiry of six months from the date of notification issued on April 18 dissolving the BBMP council.

The bench said that the State government and the SEC have to fulfil their constitutional obligations by ensuring the reconstitution of the BBMP in accordance with the 74th Amendment of the Constitution which talks about steps to be taken if the state local bodies are weak and ineffective.

The bench said that the term of the BBMP council was to expire on April 22 and the municipal corporation was dissolved when the appeal was pending before the court.

“As noted in the impugned order, only half-hearted and delayed measures were being taken for holding the elections in time and the election programme was not declared even while the appeals were being heard. However, the government through an order on April 18, 2015, dissolved the BBMP council with immediate effect.” During the hearing, senior counsel V Lakshminarayana orally sought for a stay order for seven days, but the bench declined the plea.

Soon after the court ruling, BJP?state president Pralhad Joshi said that the party was in touch with legal experts and will challenge the high court order in the apex court.

“The BJP?has always sought that election to the BBMP?should be held on schedule. The high court order has come when the government has created a lot of confusion on the issue. The confusion needs to be cleared,” Joshi said.

He said that the government was afraid of conducting polls as it would fare badly. “A bad defeat in the polls would mean the exit of Siddaramaiah as the chief minister,” Joshi said

Photo credit: DHNS