MSPs from across the political spectrum have demanded Scottish ministers bring plans to centralise the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) board to a vote.
Fears have been raised that the Holyrood government might try to get the controversial proposals through on the nod.
But opposition politicians are challenging the SNP administration bring the decision to scrap the HIE board to a Holyrood vote – where it could be defeated.
Conservative, Labour, Green and Liberal Democrat MSPs have all backed the Press and Journal’s campaign to keep HIE local – and would be able to block the plans if they joined forces in a ballot.
Orkney MSP Liam McArthur said it would be an “admission of weakness” if the Scottish Government tried to “abolish local control of HIE by the back door”.
He added: “People across the Highlands and islands would expect their MSPs to have an opportunity to stand up for their interests on such a key issue.
“SNP ministers cannot simply assert that they know best and deny local MSPs a say.
“Without a vote, this SNP government would be abolishing local control of HIE by the back door. It would be an admission of weakness and a recognition that ministers have got this badly wrong.”
Scottish Labour’s Rhoda Grant added: “There is a lot of concern and outright anger about this decision in the Highlands and islands.
“The SNP must ensure that there is a vote on this plan, so that parliament can have its say.”
The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Spice) has suggested the government could have to use legislation to make the changes – which would come to a vote before MSPs – or use ministerial powers to press ahead with the plans.
But Spice said “at this stage we are not clear which route the government intends to take”.
Mr McArthur said the government had previously used ministerial powers to “force through” controversial closures of local courts in 2013.
A member’s motion has been lodged by Ms Grant condemning the plans, but this would not be binding.
Scottish Conservative Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron added: “It’s right that a change of this magnitude is brought to parliament in the correct way.
“The SNP cannot be allowed to press on with its centralising agenda unchallenged.
“If this merger goes ahead, it will be hugely damaging for enterprise in the north of Scotland.”
Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “There is no threat to HIE, which is fully protected, as we announced at the outcome to the Phase 1 review, and as the HIE chairman confirmed last week.”
