Controversy Erupts Over Bengaluru's Potential Division with New Bill

R Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, criticized the proposed Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, which aims to split the city into up to seven municipal corporations. He accuses the Congress government of potentially diminishing Kannada influence and violating the constitutional amendment focused on local governance.

In a heated political debate, R Ashoka, the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, condemned the newly proposed Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill for allegedly attempting to splinter the city into seven different municipal corporations. Ashoka accuses the current Congress government of planning to fragment the city, thereby diminishing the influence of Kannada residents and breaching the constitutional mandate for local governance.

Introduced by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, the bill seeks to restructure the current administrative setup by establishing a Greater Bengaluru Authority, which would be chaired by the Chief Minister. The legislation has sparked controversy, with Ashoka arguing that it concentrates power in the hands of the Chief Minister, undermining the authority of elected officials like the Mayor.

Ashoka has questioned the feasibility of this governance model, stressing that it could lead to discrepancies in revenue generation among the new corporations and potentially incite inter-corporation disputes. He warns against dividing Bengaluru, emphasizing that keeping the city united is crucial for preserving its legacy and maintaining the brand image of Bengaluru.

(With inputs from agencies.)