Bangalore: A new Ordinance has been issued by Karnataka government with a view to avoid OBC anger on reservations made for ZP and TP elections to them due to take place soon in the state.
Earlier on Oct. 4, on Ordinance I had been issued by the rulers, accepting a Supreme Court verdict on reservations to be followed in District / Taluk Panchayat elections in Karnataka. It was not enough.
In the Tuesday’s cabinet meeting a second Ordinance replaces the first one. But the State Election Commission has not been informed of the new developments. On receiving the new Ordinance, the SEC has to make fresh reservation lists related to ZP / TP elections.
For instance, in Dakshina Kannada, the new table of reservations has been shown by SEC in a special edition as follows:
DK District Panchayat limits:
1. Kinnigoli – Lady from Backward ‘A’ Group
2. Puttige    – Common, a Lady
3. Shirthady – ditto-
4. Kateelu – Backward ‘A’ group lady
5 Bajpe – Common
6. Edapadavu – ditto-
7. Gurupura – Common, a lady.
It appears CM got cold feet on hearing loud voices about backward classes being neglected even in local (lower levels) elections, and called an urgent meeting of the cabinet on Oct.9. Law Minister Suresh Kumar later met the press representatives and informed that long discussions were held with party leaders earlier. It was felt that reservation provisions had to be reformed if BJP had to win at the district levels.
The govt, realized that OBC posts in local Panchayat system were few and this fact had to be reformed suitably.
The changes under way could further delay the local elections, due to fresh legal activities seeking  justice as the govt. seems to follow older norms and not the Supreme Court directions in the matter.