LDF stance crucial in polls to municipal panels

With the election of chairpersons for permanent standing committees on public works and welfare of the Palakkad Municipality scheduled for Thursday, speculation is rife over the way the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front will handle the emerging political situation.

It was the combined strength of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the LDF that unseated BJP chairpersons of the permanent standing committees of the municipality, the lone urban civic body ruled by BJP in the State.

The no-confidence motions moved by UDF councillors were backed by LDF members resulting in the BJP losing the crucial posts.

The elections come at a time when the UDF is planning to move no-confidence motions against the chairperson and the vice chairperson of the municipality expecting support of the LDF. If the LDF supports the motions, the BJP will lose power in the municipality

However, it remains to be seen whether UDF candidates for the chairpersons of the standing committees will get the backing of the LDF. The BJP can win back the posts if the LDF fields its own candidates.

The CPI(M) district committee decided to support the no-confidence motions moved by the UDF after the CPI(M) Party Congress in Hyderabad decided to keep communal forces at bay by engaging in tactical political moves.

Strength of parties

The BJP has 24 members on the 52-member municipality, the UDF 17, and the LDF 9. One seat each went to the Welfare Party and an Independent.

Though the Congress and the IUML have started consultations within the UDF over the strategies to be adopted for the election, the LDF is yet to decide on its strategy.

Sources said the LDF would either vote in favour of UDF candidates or abstain from voting. A clear picture would emerge only on Tuesday.