Political drama at Kerala's Thrikkakara municipality heads to a climax

KOCHI: A possible change in Municipal chairmanship awaits Thrikkakara Municipality as the no-confidence motion will be moved by the UDF against LDF's chairperson K K Neenu on Wednesday. The Municipal building in Thrikkakara witnessed dramatic scenes on Tuesday, ahead of the no-confidence motion, with UDF councillors locking the Municipal employees inside the office.

The opposition councillors alleged the Municipal Secretary left the office deliberately before accepting the resignation letter from Sabu Francis, the vice chairman of the Municipality.The last-minute drama unfolded after Sabu, the Congress rebel, decided to join the UDF. This move was a setback to the LDF camp.

Sabu, after marathon discussions, decided to join the UDF camp and reached Municipal secretary P S Shibu's office to hand over the resignation letter. However, the officer was not there in his cabin which made the UDF councillors angry. They shouted slogans and alleged it was as per the LDF councillors' instructions that the secretary has left his office. They soon closed down the doors of the Municipal office and staged a protest dharna in front of the Municipal office. Later, the Thrikkakara police arrived at the spot and took the councillors into custody.

At present, in the 43-member council, the LDF has 22 members and the UDF 21 members. Following the municipal elections in Thrikkakara, both the fronts had failed to secure a majority. The LDF needed the support of two members while the UDF needed the support of one member to wrest control of the council. However, after discussions, the LDF succeeded in wooing UDF rebel Sabu and LDF rebel Nazar.
The LDF thus got the support of 23 members. Sabu was also offered the post of the vice chairman. Now with Sabu rejoining the UDF camp, the stance of Nazar will be crucial for the LDF.

Nazar, who signed in favour of the no-confidence motion against the LDF soon after this year's budget presentation, has now taken a U-Turn which makes things totally unpredictable in Thrikkakara. If Nazar votes against the LDF, then with the support of Sabu, the UDF, which will have 22 members on its side can undermine the present council. Sources said the UDF is planning to make M T Omana belonging to the Congress ‘A’ faction the chairman during the first year,with the ‘I’ faction’s Ajitha Thankappan taking over in the second year. But now with Sabu joining the UDF camp, there will be considerable change in the plan. However, a super climax is what awaits the public on Wednesday.