K'taka HC directs state govt to rework ward-wise reservations in 13 urban local bodies

Bengaluru/Mangaluru: The Karnataka high court (HC) on Monday directed the state government to rework the ward-wise reservations and publish the new list within 14 days of the court order.

As per the order 13 urban local bodies incliding Mangaluru City Corporation will have to rework the reservation of wards and publish the new list before January 28 to ensure that elections to them are held within time. 

Hearing a petition filed by Jayendra Kotian of Mangaluru, Justice Sunil Dutt Yadav contended that the existing reservation was being repeated and rotation envisaged under Article 243T and under the provisions of Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act as well as Karnataka Municipalities Act were not followed.

Jayendra, in his petition, claimed that existing reservation was flawed and a particular caste was being given preference repeatedly to contest in the MCC election. He demanded reservation on a rotation basis.

Advocate PN Manmohan, who represented the petitioners has said that the state may attempt delaying polls by filing an appeal against this order, citing procedural issues.