KOCHI: The decision of the District Congress Committee and KPCC to bring a change of guard in the Kalamassery Municipality has upset the Congress leadership of Maradu and Kochi civic bodies where the party is likely to bring a change to satisfy both A and I factions.The DCC meeting held the other day took the final decision to bring the leadership change in local bodies where the Congress is ruling.
Even as the leadership took a final call on the chairperson candidate of Maradu Municipality by deciding on T H Nadeera of the A faction, they are yet to make their stand clear on the replacement of Kochi Mayor Soumini Jain.
As per the agreement between the A and I faction the chairperson seat in the municipality has to be shared every one and a half years. Suneela Sibi was the third chairperson of the Maradu Municipality in less than two years. She defeated LDF-backed independent councillor Divya Anilkumar by 17 votes to 16.
“The replacement in Maradu municipality has been taken with the consent of both A and I factions. There was an agreement between both factions to change the Chairman after one and a half years. It was in June last year Suneela assumed the charge of Chairperson. Her tenure will be over by January. Anyhow the leadership has decided to bring the change and it will be executed within a month,” said a top Congress leader in the district.
He also said the Congress party has not decided to bring a change of guard in the Kochi Corporation at present.“Several talks were doing the round over the change of guard in the Kochi Corporation. But at present, the leadership has not taken any decision to change the Kochi Mayor,” said the Congress leader.
As per the earlier plan, the top names being considered for the Mayor’s post are Town Planning Committee chairperson Shiny Mathew and Health Committee chairperson V K Minimol.
For the deputy chairperson’s post K R Prem Kumar, T D Martin and ‘A’ faction leader A B Sabu are in the forefront.“Since Kochi Corporation is crucial for the leadership, a quick change is not possible. We are waiting for the parliamentary election. The leadership will discuss the change only after that,” said the Congress leader.
However, when contacted DCC president and deputy Mayor T J Vinod said the Congress leadership has not taken any decision regarding the Kochi Corporation.
DCC: Jessy failed to accept party order
Kochi: The District Congress Committee (DCC) also had warned of strict action against the Kalamassery Chairperson Jessy K Peter for not following the party’s decision. According to the DCC president, Jessy failed to accept the party order which was issued in the letter to her. “As per the earlier direction, you have to submit the resignation. Even though I issued the same letter on November 12, you didn’t accept it. The decision has been informed to the KPCC president as well. Since you have failed to accept the party decision, disciplinary action will be initiated,” said the letter issued to Jessy by DCC president T J Vinod.