BJP in 'two minds' over civic bodies reunification

The BJP-led corporations seem to be in two mind about the reunification of the three civic agencies as a proposal to this effect was not passed for the second time in North Corporation’s standing committee meeting on Monday.

The BJP was against the trifurcation of the unified Municipal Corporation of Delhi in 2012. However, in a bid to improve efficiency and services, the former Sheila Dikshit-led Congress government had split the MCD then.

While the North and East Corporations have been facing financial troubles, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation is somewhat in a better position but it has also been late in giving pensions to its employees.

Last week, a resolution to recommend the Modi government to unify the corporations was introduced in the Standing Committee of the North Corporation. However, owing to the lack of quorum it could not be passed as the BJP councillors had to leave the meeting.

The standing committee Chairperson Mohan Prasad Bhardwaj introduced the resolution for vote on Monday and was expected to be passed.

But Bhardwaj seemed to have changed his mind and later ordered to form a sub-committee to study the benefits of reunification.

BJP councillor Sanjeev Nayyar stood up in support of the resolution, but his party councillors asked him to sit down.

“I don’t know why this resolution can’t be passed,” Nayyar said before Virender Babbar, a councillor from Paharganj ran over to him and whispered in his ear.

The Delhi BJP sources said the party is yet to decide on the issue and has asked its municipal leaders to slow down on the process as well.

However, the Congress maintained its support for trifurcation, with the leader of Opposition Mukesh Goel registering dissent against the reunification proposal.