Even as uncertainty looms large over the poll dates in Karnataka, the Election Commission is working at breakneck speed to implement the delimitation of constituencies in the state. Chief Electoral Officer R Ramsheshan told reporters in Bangalore on Friday that the first phase of the delimitation process has been completed.
He also said that the entire process would be completed by March 22. The officer's statement can be seen as an indication that polls in Karnataka can be held in May after all. As per the norms and constitutional requirements, Karnataka should have an assembly before May 28. This date can be postponed only under extraordinary circumstances. On May 28, Karnataka will complete six months under President's Rule.
Ramsheshan also said that Karnataka will be the first state in the country to implement delimitation.
He, however, was non-committal on the exact date of the elections. The Election Commission has indicated that the poll date would be announced in the first week of April. An EC team had visited Bangalore two weeks back and expressed happiness in the manner and speed in which delimitation was being implemented in the state.
However, political parties have already entered campaign mode. The Congress will kickstart its campaign with the Janodalan rally at Mysore next week. The Congress is also banking heavily on Rahul Gandhi visit to the state on March 23.
H D Kumaraswamy, Janata Dal-Secular leader and former chief minister has already started his statewide campaign and his father H D Deve Gowda is expected to join him soon.
The Bharatiya Janata Party too has started campaigning with B S Yeddyurappa in the lead. Yeddyurappa told reporters if the EC delay polls, then they would move the Supreme Court.