NEW DELHI: The Delhi Assembly on Friday rejected by voice vote a resolution moved by Nationalist Congress Party MLA Ramvir Singh Bidhuri seeking dissolution of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi into five parts to make it more efficient and effective to provide civic services to the Capital's citizens.

The rejection came as a surprise as the Sheila Dikshit Government has been in the forefront of seeking division of MCD into smaller parts. The rejection of the resolution is bound to weaken its case for dividing the Corporation before the civic polls scheduled for early next year.

Finance Minister A.K. Walia replying to the debate asked Mr. Bidhuri to withdraw his resolution, which he refused to do, and the House then rejected it by voice vote.

Earlier, moving the Private Member's resolution, Mr. Bidhuri termed the MCD as one of the most corrupt civic bodies and said in its present set-up it was just a "dead body'' that needs to be revived with a new set up so that it becomes more professional and provides time-bound services to the citizens.

He said the Virendra Prakash Committee set up by the Delhi Government and the Deep Chand Bandhu House Committee had recommended division of MCD into smaller parts. The Supreme Court and the High Court had from time to time passed severe strictures against the Corporation for having failed to discharge its duties and responsibility in an effective manner.

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