Mangaluru: MCC mayoral elections postponed indefinitely

Mangaluru:  The much-awaited elections for the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) Mayor and Deputy Mayor, which were scheduled for March 2, have been postponed abruptly.

The post of mayor was open for the general category (G) whereas the deputy mayor’s post was reserved for backward classes women (BCW) candidates. The regional commissioner of the Mysuru division had informed the MCC Commissioner for holding the elections and a reminder was sent to all corporators.

Commissioner of MCC Akshy Shridhar informed that the elections have been postponed due to legal complications. They will be held after receiving clear direction from the government, he added.

As per officials, the elections have been postponed due to an ongoing case in Supreme Court filed by Maharashtra’s Rahul Ramesh about reservation in local bodies. Some questions had been raised by Dakshina Kannada DC Dr. Rajendra KV, in a letter dated February 24, on the holding of elections while the matter was sub judice. In the absence of clear directions from the government on the matter, it was decided to postpone the 23rd Mayoral elections and the elections for electing the Sanding committee memebrs.

The announcement about postponing elections, just a day before the election date, has disappointed many hopefuls. All the efforts put in by the candidates have gone in vain.

Incumbent Mayor’s term to be extended?

The present Mayor Premananda Shetty’s tenure ends on March 2. Questioned are being raised who will hold the Mayor’s post if the elections aren’t held in time. Many are of the opinion that Premananda Shetty’s term should be extended until a new Mayor is elected for the city corporation. Earlier, the the-Mayor Ashraf had continued as Mayor for 2 months after the expiry of his tenure due to a similar situation.