Bengaluru: The Karnataka Assembly on Monday passed the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, setting the stage for a possible restructuring of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) into multiple municipal corporations.
Opposition leader R. Ashoka has strongly objected to the Bill, arguing that it violates the 74th Amendment of the Constitution. He warned that it centralizes authority under the Chief Minister, reducing the autonomy of elected local bodies.
The legislation proposes the formation of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), with the Chief Minister as its head, granting extensive administrative and planning control over the city, thereby overriding the existing BBMP framework.
Why is BJP Opposing the Bill?
Ashoka contends that the move threatens Bengaluru’s Kannada identity. He recalled how, in 2006, BBMP was expanded to integrate surrounding villages to maintain Bengaluru’s cultural fabric. He fears that under the new system, Kannada-speaking representation, including the election of Kannada-speaking mayors, could diminish.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who spearheaded the Bill, has defended it as necessary for better governance. However, Ashoka accused him of attempting to “destroy Bengaluru,” referencing his claim to be the “son of Kempegowda,” the city’s founder.
The BJP has raised concerns that the Bill could weaken local representation, centralize decision-making, and alter the city’s political landscape.
Read Also: