In a setback to the Karnataka government, Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot has returned the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, which was to propose a modern governance for the city, citing concerns raised over legal and public interest issues.
The bill has faced opposition from citizen groups and the BJP after it proposed restructuring of Bengaluru’s governance by creating multiple municipal corporations.
In a letter to the state government, the Governor said that before proceeding with the governance bill, the concerns raised need to clarified, as they involve legal as well as public interest issues.
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The bill proposes dividing the current Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) into seven separate municipal corporations, modelled around Delhi’s municipal jurisdictions. The governor said that this model had failed in Delhi, and warned of similar consequences in Bengaluru, advising the state government to take this into consideration.
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The bill also proposes a Greater Bengaluru Governance Authority to oversee the seven municipal corporations. The governor expressed concerns that this could interfere with the powers of elected local bodies as outlined in the 74th Amendment to the Constitution, seeking a reconsideration of the provision.
Citizen and civic groups, under the banner of Bengaluru Town Hall, had submitted a detailed representation opposing the bill. They informed the governor that they had earlier submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister expressing concerns over the proposed projects, but their objections had not been considered. They urged the governor to intervene, citing several infrastructure projects announced by the Karnataka government, including the proposed tunnel road, sky-deck, and expressway projects.
The governor also acknowledged representations from BJP leaders, including opposition leaders in the state assembly and council, the state BJP president, and other party members. On March 19, 2025, the party had submitted a memorandum opposing the bill, arguing that the proposed legislation violates the 74th Constitutional Amendment, disempowers the State Election Commission, usurps the role of the Metropolitan Planning Committee, creates a financial burden on governance, and is based on a failed model.
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The bill would weaken citizen participation and pose a threat to Bengaluru’s cultural and demographic integrity, BJP argued, urging the governor to review and reconsider the bill, prevent unnecessary bureaucratic expansion, and ensure equitable financial management.
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