Nashik: The ruling BJP at Nashik Municipal Corporation announced its support for the corporation managing the city bus service, on condition that the transport committee be included in the docket during the general body meeting on Wednesday. At present, the state road transport corporation manages the city service. The corporations of Mumbai and Pune manage city bus services, and Nashik corporation too has been mulling over taking over management of the bus service.The topic came up for discussion at around 8.45 pm when leader of the house Dinkar Patil made the announcement before any member could speak. Discussions were still in progress at the time this report went to print.“Our party agreed to have the bus service managed by NMC, but with inclusion of transport committee and also with sub-suggestions,” Patil said.Group leader of MNS, Salim Shaikh, said, “This is a meeting hall where the opinion of the house is important, not that of a party. We oppose the bus service proposal.” Shahu Khaire of Congress also opposed the civic administration’s proposal of city bus service by NMC. He said this service will lead to loss of Rs 100 crore to NMC per year. Khaire also demanded secret voting by house members.Independent corporator Gurmeet Bagga said, “The general body had opposed the proposal in the past. But it has still come up for discussion. I had opposed it in 2009. It will badly affect the financial condition of NMC.” Shiv Sena has been opposing the proposal for NMC manage the city bus service too.Before the general body meeting started after 11:00 am, the BJP city president Balasaheb Sanap had a meeting with BJP corporators and directed them to approve the docket with modification, including the transport committee.The meeting was held at Ramayan, the mayor’s official residence, at 9.30 am, when Sanap spelt the party’s role in the city bus service, behind closed doors. Later senior BJP leaders told reporters on condition of anonymity, “We will be approving the proposal, but with modifications in the docket for including transport committee.”The city bus service proposal has been the talk of town. The civic administration’s exclusion of the transport committee from the general body meeting agenda had become hugely contentious. The BJP favours the city bus service, an ambitious plan of the chief minister and civic administration. Opposition parties warn that the NMC would incur losses if it took on the responsibility.BJP leaders met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday seeking his help. Municipal Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe had said on Monday that he had discussed the matter with Fadnavis, including the losses that the corporations with the transport committee face.

Stay updated with all the Latest Nashik headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.