In a significant move, the Regional Commissioner of Belagavi has disqualified all 35 sitting members of the Vijayapura City Corporation for not submitting mandatory asset declarations.
Under Section 19(1) of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976, councillors are required to declare their assets within a month of assuming office and subsequently every year. These declarations must include details of assets owned by the councillors and their immediate family and are recorded in the corporation’s official records.
According to official sources, Regional Commissioner S.B. Shettennavar issued the disqualification order on Monday, exercising the powers granted under the Municipal Corporations Act.
The list of disqualified councillors includes 17 from the BJP, 10 from the Congress, 2 from AIMIM, 1 JD(S) member, and 5 Independents. While elections to the Vijayapura City Corporation took place in 2022, the council was officially formed in 2024. The first Mayoral election was held in January, followed by a second-term election recently.
The disqualification follows a petition filed before the Kalaburagi Bench of the Karnataka High Court, alleging that the members had failed to adhere to asset declaration rules. The court directed the government to take necessary action in the matter.
Subsequently, notices were issued to all members and hearings were held. After verifying that none had submitted the required documents, the Regional Commissioner passed the disqualification order.
With this development, attention has now shifted to the next steps. While some members are reportedly considering challenging the order in court, others said they are waiting for official intimation before taking a decision.
