That Mayor Tony Chammany and Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) chairman N. Venugopal are not the best of pals is common knowledge.
The hostility dates back to the last local body elections when Mr. Chammany was made the Mayor throwing cold water over the dreams of Mr. Venugopal. There was not much bonhomie even after the latter was appointed to the helm of GCDA with the two often on collision course over a host of issues ranging from surrendering land for Kochi metro to GCDA’s pet project of a laser show at Rajendra Maidan.
That’s exactly why the photo op involving two at the announcement of a musical concert to mobilise resources for the State government’s zero landless project received attention. Mr. Chammany handed over a poster of the upcoming programme to Mr. Venugopal at the function and for once the latter didn’t mind being in the receiver’s role. Meanwhile, grapevine has it that the two are in the process of burying the hatchet ahead of the local body polls next year for the good of their party.
Public slaughter
With the local people growing restive over the issue of public slaughter of animals for meat, the corporation has issued a show-cause notice to those operating meat stalls at the Polakandam market near Karuvelippady, West Kochi.Health Standing Committee Chairman of the Corporation of Cochin T. K. Ashraf said on Thursday that the show-cause notice would be issued after the Corporation Secretary and the Mayor received a complaint from the Division Councillor.
