Row over MP govt proposal to split civic body

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday proposed bifurcation of the Bhopal municipal corporation evoking strong reaction from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, which alleged that the Congress was trying to divide the state capital on “communal lines”.

On Wednesday, Bhopal collector Tarun Tithode issued a notification seeking suggestion on the proposal to divide the BJP controlled municipal corporation, a day after governor Lalji Tandon approved an Ordinance allowing indirect elections for post of Mayor in the urban local bodies.

Bhopal North and Bhopal Central are considered Muslimdominated, as per the notification.

Reacting sharply to the proposal, Rameshwar Sharma, the BJP MLA from Huzur, said, “This is Congress government’s conspiracy to divide Bhopal in two parts on communal lines, which was never done after Independence.” He said except some exceptions Bhopal had been a place known for amity and harmony among Hindus, Muslims and others communities but the Congress government wanted to communalise the entire atmosphere.

State Congress spokesperson, Bhupendra Gupta said, “The idea is to ensure division of resources between the two corporations. Creating new corporation will result in developing new areas for people to live in. This will result in development of new areas and burden of population on Bhopal being reduced considerably.”