Supreme Court suspects Karnataka government of ‘delaying tactics’ but extends Bengaluru civic polls’ deadline to August 31

Key points

• The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) said the Karnataka government seems to be deploying “delaying tactics” to postpone civic polls in Bengaluru while extending the deadline for the elections by another two months to August 31. Shifting the time limit for the election from June 30 to August 31, the apex court said this would be the State government’s “last chance”, and there would be no further extensions.
• “The matter gives an unnecessary impression that this is all delaying tactics on the part of the State,” Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, heading a three-judge Bench, remarked.
• Senior advocate A.M.
• Singhvi and advocate Sanchit Garga, appearing for Karnataka, said the State had made every other arrangement, including the necessary budgetary allocations for the conduct of the polls.
• However, there was a “manpower problem”, requiring a “slight extension of 60 days”.