Objecting to plans to trifurcate MCD, leaders of the BJP-ruled civic body on Monday alleged that Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was behaving in a "dictatorial manner" on the issue and urged that public opinion should be invited before moving ahead with any such plans.

"The opinions of citizens in this matter have not been sought. The Chief Minister is behaving in a dictatorial manner and has unilaterally decided that MCD should be trifurcated. Public opinion should be invited before reaching any decision," Delhi Mayor Rajni Abbi said.

Similar views were echoed by Standing Committee Chairman Yogender Chandolia, Leader of the House Subhash Arya and former Chairman of Standing Committee Vijender Gupta.

"It is intriguing that the citizens have not been involved in the decision making process," they alleged.

Abbi said that a new work culture has dawned in MCD with the functioning of the Civic Centre. The e-governance projects are going in full steam.

"Any trifurcation would lead to serious imbalances and untold obstacles in the march of progress of the city towards transparency, effectiveness and time-bound delivery of services," she said.

Gupta said that more than Rs 500 crore have been invested in building the Civic Centre, which is now valued at Rs 5,000 crore with its land building and other facilities.

"In addition, MCD has invested Rs 2,000 crore in setting up e-governance system. All these will go waste. These very important issues have not been taken into account. MCD has started delivering a number of services in a time bound manner putting citizens to great convenience.

"Trifurcation at this stage will lead to serious complications. No one knows how the delivery of services can be taken care of in the new set-up," Gupta said.