The Hindu 02.08.2013
Agitation in Seemandhra region casts a shadow on municipal polls
With violent protests breaking out in Andhra and Rayalaseema
districts against the decision to bifurcate the State, uncertainty
prevails over the proposed elections to municipalities.
Though
Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy had announced that the government
was determined to hold elections to municipalities after the panchayat
elections, in the changed scenario with a disturbed law and order
situation, doubts are being raised about the feasibility of holding
elections at this juncture.
Sources in the government said the
Municipal Administration department had completed the survey to
determine the BC population and the process of reservation of
municipalities and wards sent to the government for approval.
The
State Election Commission called for a meeting on August 2 to assess the
preparedness of the MA & UD department. It will take a call on the
schedule of elections to urban civic bodies, sources added.
The
government, which has been putting off municipal elections for over two
years, had submitted an affidavit to the High Court that it would
complete the elections by September 3. Unlike the three-phase panchayat
elections- the last phase was held on Wednesday- municipal elections
would be held on the basis of political party symbols and thus would
give a fair idea of the grass root network of different political
parties.
Sources said that though the plan was to hold municipal
elections within three weeks after the panchayat elections, in the wake
of the emotionally surcharged situation prevailing in Seemandhra, the
political parties, particularly the Congress party, is wary of the
backlash of people’s anger over the decision to bifurcate the State with
Hyderabad as common capital for 10 years, they added.
For the
same reason, it is however expected to reap the benefits in Telangana
region. But if elections are to be held, they should be held across the
State including Seemandhra. “It is for the State Election Commission to
assess the situation and issue notification. On our part, we have
completed the list of reservations and it has to be approved by the
Chief Minister,” sources said.
However, sources said that if the
present situation and ongoing agitation is not amenable to holding
elections, then the government will have to submit an affidavit to the
High Court explaining the reasons for more time. It is expected that the
government may decide to go for elections after the process of
formation of the Telangana State is completed, which is at least four to
five months away.
