BBMP ward reservation list leaves opposition Congress fuming

List was made in RSS ‘Keshava Krupa,’ alleges Congress

The Karnataka government’s ward reservation list for Bengaluru has left the opposition Congress fuming as many of its leaders may not be able to contest if elections are held according to the list issued late on August 3.

Not just the Congress, some former councillors from the ruling BJP too face the prospect of losing a chance to contest from their respective wards.

The Karnataka government, in light of the directions by the Supreme Court of India on July 28, declared ward-wise reservations for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to facilitate the long-delayed polls.

The Congress has opposed the reservation list and alleged that it was prepared at ‘Keshava Krupa’ (state headquarters of the RSS). Speaking to The Hindu, former Congress councillor and opposition leader in the BBMP council Abdul Wajid, who is also one of the petitioners, said, “The new reservation list issued by the state government clearly shows that it is prepared at Keshava Krupa, and not by the government, to make sure that the BJP will gain from it.”

“All the wards in the Congress-represented assembly constituencies have been given reservations. For example, in Gandhinagar Assembly constituency, which has seven wards, all have been reserved as women's category. In Shivajinagar constituency too, out of seven wards, six have been reserved for women. But in the BJP constituencies, equal reservations have been given,” Mr. Wajid explained.

Mr. Wajid is also not happy with his ward Manorayanapalya now being reserved for Backward Classes A (woman). He has decided to field his wife from there while he contests from another seat.