The creation of Malegaon Municipal Corporation and Deola and Trimbakeshwar talukas was announced by Chief Minister Narayan Rane on Wednesday in Mumbai. The Malegaon JD unit has opposed the creation of a municipal corporation on grounds that it would increase the burden of local taxes on the people.

A JD councillor, Rajendra Bhosale, told media persons that Malegaon had inadequate sources of income for a corporation as there were not enough industries in the region. He pointed out that the powerloom industry in Malegaon was passing through recession and hence the new corporation would only add to more taxes being levied on the people. He said that his party would soon launch an agitation against the decision.

He further said, thatthe creation of a municipal corporation in Malegaon was a ploy to distract attention from the demand of local people to create a separate Malegaon district. The decision of a municipal corporation was welcome by local Shiv Sena and BJP units. Incidentally, Malegaon is the bastion of Janata Dal MLA Nihal Ahmed who is serving his fifth successive term in the legislative assembly. He was not available for comment.

Meanwhile, the creation of Deola taluka (in the existing Kalwan taluka) and Trimbakeshwar (in Nashik taluka) was welcomed by local people by bursting crackers.