mangalore today

MCC elections gain momentum, Forum demands documenting commitments


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov  05 2019: The MCC Civic Group is causing a positive momentum and basking in the limelight of the MCC elections, polling  on November 12. The forum has  launched a campaign appealing to candidates contesting the Mangaluru City Corporation council elections to sign an affidavit on setting up ward committees and area sabhas as a prime commitment.

 

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President of Nagarika Shakti Narendra Kumar, stated on November 4, Monday that the Karnataka Ward Samithi Vedike had decided to make the setting up of area sabhas and ward committees in MCC limits an election issue. “Candidates will get support from the Vedike only if they sign the affidavit promising that the ward-related works would be taken up through the ward committees and area sabhas,” he said.  “As the elections are being held in the Corporation and a new council will be elected, we expect the formation of ward committees and area sabhas in all the 60 ward of the Corporation,” he demanded.

The group will supply affidavit formats to candidates of all major political parties and independent candidates. Kumar said that even after the 74th Constitutional Amendment and the amendment of Karnataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) Act in 2011, the ward works were unilaterally cornered by corporators exclusively without people participation, resulting in haphazard growth of the city and rampant corruption.

Citizens suffer from poor public work and bad roads, bad planning and individual interests , all works are as needed by selfish and wrong ideas of the corporators; it is clear that their first priority all along the way is to make a fast buck. The KMC Act mandates the formation of area sabhas and ward committees in every city with more than three lakh population.  Kumar said,  “Forum is creating awareness among citizens through social organisations and resident welfare associations to vote only for candidates who promise to include citizens in the ward committees.”

The KMC Act provides for all ward developmental plans are made aware and subscribed by area sabha meetings where ward representatives and public decided the utilisation of funds. The ward committees not only pass the plans but also monitor the work, Kumar explained.


“The candidates will be asked to an affidavit by public. The people can then decide whom to vote for. Following  PILs, the high court has ordered the formation of ward committees and area sabhas immediately after the election to the MCC council,” Nigel Albuquerque and Ajoy D’Silva state and say, “Another PIL seeking a similar order for the other 10 corporations across Karnataka is pending before the high court.”

Independent candidate Rajendra Kumar, who is contesting from Ward No 33 (Kadri South), signed an affidavit promising the formation of a ward committee and area sabhas in his ward, if elected.

180 candidates in fray for MCC elections :


Eleven candidates on Nov 4, Monday withdrew their nominations from the council election of the Mangaluru City Corporation. Finally 180 candidates are in fray for elections to the 60 wards, on November 12.

The Congress and the BJP are contesting from all 60 wards, while the JD(S) is contesting from 12 wards, CPI from 1 ward, CPM 7, SDPI 6, JD(U) 2, Welfare Party of India 3, Karnataka Rajya Samithi 2 and Independents 27 wards.

After the scrutiny on November 2, officials had found nominations of 191 candidates in order. The officials had rejected 32 nominations filed by various candidates after the scrutiny. A total of 236 nomination papers were received for election on October 31, the last date to file the nomination papers.

Out of the 60 wards, there is a direct fight between Congress and BJP in 21 wards. Katipalla North, Panjimogaru, Panambur Bengre, Kadri Padavu, Kadri South and Bejai wards have five candidates each in fray. There are three candidates in the fray in 24 wards.

The election to the council will be held on November 12 and the counting will be held on November 14. There is visible a positive momentum in this election say the public.