<h1>Opposition alleges ruling coalition, municipal authorities colluded with contractors to divert public funds in inflated pipeline deal</h1> An opposition party accused the state ruling coalition and municipal authorities of colluding with private contractors to divert public funds, alleging the municipal corporation has become a 'pasture of corruption' with contracts preselected and tenders tailored to favoured firms. The party cited a multi-crore pipeline contract whose scope rose from 42 km to 50 km while cost jumped from Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 3,500 crore, claiming tender conditions limited eligibility to two preferred companies. The allegations come amid a prolonged delay in local elections for the municipal body, whose 2025-26 budget exceeds Rs 74,000 crore.