DCC panel to guide UDF regime in Thrikkakara

The United Democratic Front (UDF) may have managed to wrest power from the rival Left Democratic Front (LDF) midway through in the cash-rich Thrikkakara municipality when Congress councillor M.T. Omana was installed as chairperson, replacing K.K. Neenu earlier this month.

But that’s hardly a guarantee that the UDF will able to maintain the grip over power for the rest of the term going by the past history of factional feuds within the Congress often gifting away power to the LDF not to mention the wafer-thin majority of a single member in the 43-member house.

Determined not to be on the receiving end of another bout of factional fight yet again, the District Congress Committee (DCC) has retained its four-member committee, which was originally appointed to manage the change of guard in the UDF’s favour, to ensure trouble-free governance.

The fact that newly elected chairperson Ms. Omana, who owes allegiance to Congress ‘A’ faction, has little experience as a local body head also attaches more significance to the committee.

Critical role

“The committee will serve as a guiding light and interlocutor in matters requiring the intervention of the party. The committee members will also attend parliamentary party meetings ahead of the council meetings to formulate party line to be adopted in matters of public interest,” said Shaji Vazhakkala, former municipal chairman and a member of the committee.

Former chairman and block president P.I. Mohammed Ali and DCC general secretaries Xavier Thayankari and P.K. Abdul Rahman constitute the rest of the committee.

The committee may be called in to play a critical role later on since it has been agreed that the remaining term would be shared among three councillors, including Ms. Omana. One term is assured to Ajitha Thankappan of “I’ group and another to Sheela Charu.

P.T. Thomas, Thrikkakara MLA, said: “Now that the preoccupation with the Chengannur election is over, a meeting of the MLA, MP, councillors and DCC office-bearers will be convened shortly to set the goal of the UDF regime.”

“The committee will not interfere in day-to-day functioning of the council but will play a facilitating role,” he said.

Mr. Thomas cited reining in proliferating illegal constructions in the municipality and recovery and conservation of drinking water sources among the priorities of the municipality.

Solutions to traffic mayhem at Olimugal Junction and long-term improvement of the general traffic situation in the municipality through the second phase expansion of the Seaport-Airport Road would also come up for discussion, Mr. Thomas said.