MUMBAI, March 21 -- The state government has allotted the additional 15,000sq ft sought by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its state headquarters at Nariman Point. This is in addition to the 2,682sq feet it gave the political party last year, on a 30-year lease, to build a multi-storey office. The decision has not gone down well with local residents, who had opposed a change in the city's development plan, which sacrificed a large portion of a garden, to facilitate the expansion of the BJP headquarters. The plot on which the office and garden stands was reserved as a recreation ground (RG) in the city's development plan but encroached a long time ago. Then, in 2018, the state arbitrarily changed the reservation into commercial/residential use. When the Nariman Point Churchgate Citizens Association (NPCCA) protested, the reservation was reversed, but with a twist. The garden was designated as RG+ (Recreation Ground+), which means only 50% of the land was reserved for a recreation ground; the rest could be used for residential/commercial purposes. The change in reservation took place when the state finalised the latest development plan for the city, or the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR), 2034. When the NPCCA protested again, all the structures in the garden were demolished, except those occupied by the BJP and the Janata Dal. The BJP was asked to pull down some extensions. Part of the plot was fenced and a garden was created. The government resolution issued on Friday said that 15,000sq ft, located to the right of the BJP office, had been allotted for the party office and permission was granted to execute a lease agreement for 30 years, from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2054. The rent for the land will be paid to the government as per prevailing rates. The BJP, which is constructing another office at New Marine Lines, had fallen short of space and made extensions to its Nariman Point office. But these had to be demolished following court orders. Thereafter, the government issued an order allotting 2,682sq ft on a 30-year lease. Keshav Upadhye, chief spokesperson, state BJP, said, "The expanse of the BJP's activities is ever increasing. We need more space.'' NPCCA president, Atul Kumar, said, "It would have been a big win for citizens if they had created a larger garden rather a smaller one.''...