Hardly ten months after a new chairman was sworn in, power politics has reared its ugly head yet again in Thrikkakara municipality.
Clamour for replacing Shaji Vazhakkala owing allegiance to Congress ‘I’ group with P.I. Mohammadali of ‘A’ group, who had made way for him in January, seems to be gaining momentum.
‘Understanding reached’The section of councillors arguing for the return of Mr. Mohammadali cites an understanding reached at a meeting of the KPCC-appointed high power committee held at the District Congress Committee office on July 29. Quoting from the minutes of that meeting, they claimed that it was decided to give Mr. Mohammadali a chance after three months and also to elect Ajitha Thankappan of ‘I’ group as the chairperson of the public works permanent standing committee.
With the three-month deadline ending on Wednesday, ‘A’ group now wants, what they regard as the ‘understanding’ reached at that meeting implemented.
“We are hopeful that the party will go by that understanding and do the needful,” Mr. Mohammadali said. Still claiming the support of 20 ‘A’ group councillors, he said there had been no split in the faction as had been reported based on the presence of some of the councillors at the inauguration of the new municipal park on Tuesday. He said there was no explicit decision to stay away from the function as had been done in the case of official events ever since the new incumbent assumed the office.
Meanwhile, Mr. Vazhakkala said he was not aware of any such understanding by the KPCC high power committee. Asked whether a demand for stepping down was under his consideration, he said that such decisions had to be taken by the party.
DCC president V.J. Paulose, while admitting that there was such an understanding, said the issue was now under the consideration of the KPCC.
