On the instructions of the High Court, the state government has published a new list correcting the omission in the re-allocation of BBMP wards. However, it has been alleged that new wards have been re-allocated without any specific criteria. Equality in terms of population and area has not been maintained while demarcating new wards. The main allegation is that this has led to severe disparity between wards. In fact during the previous government wards were created with an average population of 35 thousand. Also, the population of some wards was increased or decreased to keep the wards within the limits of a particular Vidhan Sabha constituency. This avoided the problem of one ward being divided into two or three assembly constituencies. Accordingly, the population of some wards decreased to 33 thousand, while the population of some wards increased up to 39 thousand.

However, this criterion has not been followed by the current government during redistricting. Out of the newly created 225 wards, approximately 120 wards have a population of around 36,000 to 39,000. Rest of the wards have population less than 35 thousand or more than 40 thousand. Due to this move, former corporators have complained that the order of creating wards on the basis of population was not properly followed.

There is considerable variation not only in population but also in the area of wards. Warthur ward has an area of 28.40 sq km. Belattur Ward has an area of 15.20 sq km and Horamavu Ward has an area of 13.10 sq km. The area of the same Padarayanpur ward is only 0.27 sq km, raipur 0.31 sq km, Kempapur Agrahar 0.33 sq km. Thus, more than 20 wards have an area of less than 1 sq km, while more than 30 wards have an area of more than 5 sq km. An opinion has been expressed that this will create a problem for the administration of the wards.

Redistricting only for changing the boundaries?: In the ward redistricting done during the previous bjp government, the boundaries of the wards where the congress influence was high were changed, creating a hostile environment for the congress in the BBMP elections. There were allegations that action had been taken to divide the barangays where congress voters were high and divided them into different wards. Now the former corporators of bjp are alleging that the congress government has fixed the boundary for their convenience.

Ward redistribution as instructed by the High Court: Due to the difference in population in the 198 wards of BBMP and administrative problem, the previous government had decided to create one ward for a population of 35,000. Accordingly 198 wards were divided into 243 wards. However, some petitioned against it in the High Court. The High Court, which had heard the petition, had directed the state government to rectify the lapses in ward re-allocation. Accordingly, the state government, which has newly re-distributed the wards, has reduced 243 wards to 225 and re-distributed them.

Most Populous Wards:

*Chaudeshwari: 43,204

*Kempegowda Ward: 43,080

*Kammagondanahalli: 42,954

*Mallasandra: 42930

*Capital: 42,605

*Yalahanka Suburban: 42,647

Wards with less population:

*Koodlu (Anekal): 16,757

*Nayandahalli: 32,053

*Someshwara Temple: 32,064

*Manorayanapalya: 32,248

*V. Nagenahalli: 32,286

*Chalavadipalya: 32,311

*KR Market: 32,311

The bjp government had created 243 wards on the basis of population. Because of that all the wards were equal. So far wards have been created without population limit and without keeping any criteria. Wards are structured to facilitate the Congress.

-Padmanabhareddy, former leader of opposition BBMP

Wards are formed to have a population of 33 thousand to 42 thousand. Wards are formed keeping in mind the population. The previous omissions have now been rectified.

- M. Sivaraju, former leader of BBMP ruling party