Mangaluru: SDPI urges immediate local body polls, flags Rs 2,133 cr fund delay

Mangaluru: SDPI urges immediate local body polls, flags Rs 2,133 cr fund delay

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Apr 15, 2026: Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) state president Abdul Majeed has urged the Karnataka government to take immediate steps to conduct local body elections in the state.

Addressing a press conference, he said that around ₹2,133 crore in grants due to the state under the 15th Finance Commission are yet to be released by the Centre. The funds, which were to be disbursed in four instalments, had not been released even by the end of March, leading to financial difficulties for gram panchayats that have undertaken development works.

He stated that the Commission has cited the non-conduct of taluk and zilla panchayat elections, along with delays in releasing funds to gram panchayats, as reasons for withholding the grants. Terming this an injustice to democracy, he criticised the situation.

Questioning the role of the state’s 27 Members of Parliament, he asked what they were doing if the delay was due to the presence of a non-BJP government in the state. He pointed out that funds have been released to states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Majeed urged the state to adopt the Kerala model, where local body elections are held every five years, ensuring effective decentralisation of power. He also expressed concern over the silence of elected representatives, including MPs, MLAs and MLCs, on the issue.

He further demanded that the central government release the pending funds immediately, stating that there is no obstacle to releasing grants at least to gram panchayats, which continue to function despite the absence of taluk and district panchayat administrations.

He also noted that elections to the Greater Bengaluru civic body have not been conducted for the past six years and called for immediate polls to all local bodies in the state.

Denies funding allegations, slams Congress over minority leadership and poll delays

Addressing allegations that minister Zameer Ahmed Khan funded SDPI during the Davanagere South by-election, Majeed dismissed the claims, stating that the party relies solely on public contributions.

He said Zameer Ahmed Khan, being a minister from another political party, had no reason to fund SDPI. “We conduct our elections through crowdfunding. Our workers and supporters contribute funds. People have given us both notes and votes. We do not have any system of accepting such funding,” he said.

Referring to the Davanagere South Assembly constituency, Majeed claimed that around 70% of voters belong to AHINDA communities, including about 38% Muslims. He alleged that local Congress workers had demanded a ticket for a Muslim leader, but when it was denied, it led to public resentment. Consequently, a significant section of voters turned against Congress and supported the SDPI candidate, he said.

He further accused Congress of adopting a divisive approach toward Muslim leadership, warning that such a strategy could lead to serious political consequences. He also alleged that disciplinary action is taken only against minority leaders, while influential leaders are spared, and claimed that Congress is specifically targeting Muslim leaders.

Reiterating his demand, Majeed said the state government must take immediate steps to conduct elections to all local bodies and treat the issue with due seriousness.