Bengaluru: The draft notification enabling the formation of five new civic bodies in Bengaluru in place of the existing BBMP is met with stiff opposition from BJP, which claims it is unscientific.Rajarajeshwari Nagar BJP MLA and former minister N Munirathna said he had “no words to describe how senseless the splitting exercise has been.” His constituency is part of the proposed Bengaluru West, North, and South corporations. “How do they expect one MLA to attend three meetings on the same issue at the same time?” he said. He noted that he was not against having five corporations but opposed splitting the city without a clear concept for planning and allocation of funds. “The central part has less space for new development. Constituencies, including Malleswaram and Basavanagudi, could have been included entirely within the Central corporation,” he said. He also said the Outer Ring Road and the upcoming Peripheral Ring Road could have been used as a reference for the boundaries.However, transport minister and BTM Layout MLA Ramalinga Reddy was hopeful about the next steps, including the formation of wards and holding local body elections. “Since an affidavit has been filed, polls cannot be delayed for long,” he said.Malleswaram MLA Dr CN Ashwath Narayan opined that the corporations have nothing to show as their job description. “Most of the critical functions are handled by specialised bodies like Bescom and BWSSB. Waste management will be taken up by BSWMA. What is left for these corporations to do?” he said, adding that major infrastructure projects will continue to remain centralised under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). However, Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad, who was instrumental in advocating the division of BBMP, denied any political motive behind the new boundaries, noting that most of the core constituencies represented by BJP will remain intact within a single corporation. “Boundaries of some assembly constituencies were unscientifically drawn, with their areas extending from the city’s north to south. Portions of these constituencies being included under the respective zone ensures administrative convenience,” he said, adding even these areas would be mostly under one corporation.He claimed that the boundaries of assembly segments may even change in the future. Arshad said the new corporations will enjoy autonomy in collecting and spending tax revenue. “There will also be greater accountability compared to one large corporation,” he added.—QuotesMost of the critical functions are handled by specialised bodies like Bescom and BWSSB. Waste management will be taken up by BSWMA. What is left for these (new) corporations to do?-Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, Malleswaram MLA——(Once smaller corporations are formed), there will also be greater accountability compared to one large corporation-Rizwan Arshad, Shivajinagar MLA
