The Karnataka Assembly recently passed the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, which could lead to a transformation of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) into several smaller city corporations. The bill has stirred intense opposition, especially from R. Ashoka, the Leader of the Opposition.
Ashoka argues that this new structure would violate the 74th Constitutional Amendment, which mandates decentralized power to local governing bodies. He believes that the proposal, which creates a Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) headed by the Chief Minister, would centralize power and bypass elected city officials.
A major concern for Ashoka and other critics is the potential loss of Kannada-speaking representation. He fears that, by splitting the city, regions like Bengaluru East could be left without a Kannada-speaking mayor, weakening the local voice. Ashoka also highlighted how in 2006, Bengaluru expanded its borders to preserve the Kannada identity, a move that could be undone by the new governance model.
Ashoka further attacked DK Shivakumar, the Deputy Chief Minister and main advocate for the Bill, calling him a “son of Kempegowda” who is working to damage the city’s governance. The BJP maintains that the changes will hurt local communities and undermine the city’s legacy.
As this bill progresses, debates surrounding local control, urban identity, and state influence are likely to intensify, with implications for Bengaluru’s future governance.
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