'Delay in GP elections will threaten decentralised system of democracy'

Bengaluru: Former chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in Karnataka assembly Siddaramaiah on Friday, May 22 criticised the delay in conduct of Gram Panchayat elections in the state.

The Congress leader questioned why the government as well as State election commission had not initiated any action for the electoral process when the tenure of almost all Gram Panchayats in the state will end in June-July.

In a series of tweets, Siddaramaiah said that the delay in the elections to elect the members of Gram Panchayat will threaten the decentralised system of democracy and goes against the objectives of 73rd Constitutional amendment act.

On KS Eshwarappa’s announcement that the government would form administrative councils at every Gram Panchayat, Siddaramaiah pointed out that Administrative Committees to the Gram Panchayats could be appointed only when it is not possible to conduct elections or when no members get elected even after 2 elections.

It may be recalled Panchayat Raj Minister KS Eshwarappa had said that the Panchayat elections in Karnataka will be postponed for six months due to COVID-19 pandemic. Barring a few gram panchayats, the tenure of others will end by June-July. Towards this end, Eshwarappa said that the government would form administrative councils at every Gram Panchayat.