Trouble is brewing in the Congress unit of the Kochi Corporation with the ‘I’ faction all set to initiate tough action against the ‘A’ faction-led ruling dispensation.
The ‘I’ faction is understood to have issued an ultimatum to the party’s district leadership regarding the reshuffling of chairmanship of the various standing committees of the corporation.
The faction is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the discussion between DCC president V.J. Poulose and senior leaders of the ‘I’ faction scheduled for Monday. If the party district president failed to find a solution to the crisis, it would be the beginning of trouble for the civic administration, said a party leader.
The faction leaders are even toying with the idea of some key functionaries of the corporation relinquishing their posts in protest against the neglect towards the group. The faction has two of its nominees as the heads of two standing committees — T.J. Vinod, who heads the Development Standing Committee and Ratnamma Raju, chairperson of the Tax Appeal Standing Committee.
The administration had come under severe criticism from the faction councillors during the past few months. The group had lambasted the administration for its various acts of commission and omission. It had also unleashed severe criticisms against Mayor Tony Chammany and Deputy Mayor B. Bhadra. The group councillors, along with the Opposition members, had also held Ms. Bhadra responsible for the economic crisis and financial mismanagement in the corporation.
Though the ‘A’ faction leaders have been denying the existence of an agreement regarding the term of chairpersons of various standing committees, copies of the agreements are available with the UDF constituents. The ‘I’ faction would demand the implementation of the agreement, he said.
