With the political equations between ‘I’ and ‘A’ factions of the Congress fluctuating at the state-level over the ministership of KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, its ripples are being heard in the administration of local bodies too.
In Kochi, where the ‘I’ group has already demanded for a leadership change in the Council, has decided to go ahead with its non-cooperative stand against Mayor Tony Chammany.
It is also learnt that the ‘I’ group members are set to demand for reshuffling of the present Standing Committees after May 31, when the present Standing Committee chairpersons complete their two-and-a-half-year tenure.
“For instance, in Thrissur Corporation, there was an understanding between the groups for the leadership post on a term basis. Our demand is not only for the reshuffling of Standing Committees, but also for a change in the Mayoral post. We will take up the issue with the DCC and KPCC after May 31,” said a member of the ‘I’ faction.
According to him, the ‘I’ group will put forth a formula of handing over the leadership of the Ernakulam District Panchayat to ‘A’ group and taking over the leadership of the Kochi Corporation Council in return.
“Though the ‘A’ faction claims that they have the support of 29 members, the number of A-group along with the supporters of Union Minster K V Thomas will be lesser than what they expect,” he said.
“The ‘A’ faction has a clear majority with 29 members against 12 here. So there is no chance of a leadership change. Besides, the Mayor has the strong support of ‘A’ group leaders, including the ministers from the district,” said a member of the group.
Meanwhile, the members of ‘A’ group firmly believe that the demand of ‘I’ group for leadership change would prove to be futile.
“Chammany was selected for the post of the Mayor after defeating N Venugopal at a parliamentary party election presided over by a KPCC representative. Any change in leadership will only be possible with the intervention of KPCC and the top leadership. Moreover, the Mayor has got the strong support of a Minister from Ernakulam and an MLA, who is a close ally of the Chief Minister,” said sources with the ‘A’ faction.
Meanwhile, Ernakulam DCC president V J Poulose said that the party would consider the reshuffling of Standing Committees only after discussing the issue with the constituents of UDF. “We have representatives from Socialist Janatha, Muslim League and Kerala Congress (M) as Standing Committee chairpersons. So, the demand for reshuffling will be considered only after discussing it with them,” he said.
However, Poulose denied the reports on a change in the leadership of the Corporation Council and District Panchayat. “We have not thought of such a formula for Kochi,” he said.
Group Game
■ Tony Chammany selected for Mayor’s post after defeating N Venugopal at a
parliamentary party election, presided over by a KPCC representative
■ The ‘I’ group wants reshuffling of Standing Committees and change in Mayoral post
■ The I-group plans to put forth a formula of handing over the leadership of the Ernakulam District Panchayat to ‘A’ group and taking over the leadership of the Kochi Corporation Council in return
■ Reshuffling can be done only after
discussions with the UDF constituents