Terming the MCD’s trifurcation as “undemocratic” and “unconstitutional”, Delhi BJP on Thursday targeted Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit for pushing the proposal that reflects her “individual agenda”.
“The decision to trifurcate the local body is contrary to provisions of Constitution and raises a question mark on the future of a democratic local body as the importance of elected representatives will decline and the influence of bureaucracy will increase,” Delhi BJP chief Vijendra Gupta told reporters.
Mr. Gupta said the amendment imposes an official body over an elected one, which is an “uncalled interference” into the autonomy and constitutional nature of the civic body.
“Under this Bill, a single official will have right to overpower every decision of the local body...only except for dissolution of the local body,” Mr. Gupta claimed.
In a scathing attack on Ms. Dikshit, he said, “It (the proposal) is a reflection of the chief minister’s individual agenda.” Mr. Gupta alleged that the trifurcation was a decision taken by the government in haste for “political benefits”.
“By doing so the Congress has violated the principle of autonomy to the local bodies and handed over the power of the corporation to government and bureaucrats,” he said.
Mr. Gupta said the government intended to benefit from the move by collecting taxes and wanted to weaken the corporation economically at the same time.
“How is this decision going to help run the body democratically when all the discretionary powers are being relegated to a single official rather than members of the elected body?” he asked.
Mr. Gupta, however, said BJP was not against the division but same should be done through a process and in totality.
“The government wants to take control of new corporations and it is a political conspiracy which will have adverse consequences on people,” he said.
“If the government is so serious about the functioning of the body, why doesn’t it then divide the body into 12 zones under the umbrella of a uniform local body as proposed in 1992 without amending the MCD Act?”
Mr. Gupta said BJP was analysing the Bill and is mulling to take possible legal action on the issue. The party would oppose the move in the Assembly.
“We had warned the government against any such move as many administrative and legal complications will arise and the work in all the three corporations will be hindered,” he said.
