United Development Front (UDF) councillors in the Corporation Council, led by Opposition leader M.T. Padma, handed over to the District Collector a notice for no-confidence motion against the Mayor on Thursday.
The notice followed the Mayor’s refusal to act against two councillors accused of allegedly manhandling Ms. Padma and Deputy Leader K. Mohammed Ali during a Council meeting on May 28. Another meeting was held on June 7 when councillor N.C. Moyin Kutty moved an emergency resolution seeking action from the Mayor against councillors O.M. Bharadwaj and V. Sudheer for allegedly assaulting the Opposition leaders.
But the Mayor denied permission on the ground that the issue was not of an emergency nature and permission could not be granted as per the Council rules. Under Section 19 of the Kerala Municipality Act, 1994, an intention to move no-confidence motion had to be put forth by no less than one-third the sanctioned strength of the elected Council.
A written notice should be handed over in person to the authority designated by the State Election Commission, in this case the District Collector, who will convene a meeting of the Council to discuss the motion.
Ms. Padma, in a separate statement, sought the resignation of Deputy Mayor P.T. Abdul Latheef and councillor C.K. Renuka Devi for the alleged diversion of funds meant for a slum development project.
The statement came after a Special Court here took note of a complaint filed by an anti-corruption activist and ordered the registration of a case of corruption against former Kozhikode Corporation Mayor M. Bhaskaran and six others. The case related to the alleged re-routing of Rs.2.9 lakh meant for the construction of a drain and footpath at Cherottuvayal, a slum in the city, in 2007-08. The project was devised under the People’s Plan Campaign.
Kozhikode Inquiry Commissioner and Special Vigilance Judge V. Jayaram had passed the order after the court was prima facie satisfied about the veracity of the complaint and evidence placed on record by K.P. Vijayakumar, a lawyer and activist, sources said.
The court had directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to file an FIR in the court by July 22 and follow it up with a detailed probe.
It had also directed the VACB to consider the documents presented by Mr. Vijayakumar on the alleged role of Mr. Latheef and Ms. Renuka Devi in this issue.
Mr. Vijayakumar had earlier complained to the court against the non-arraigning of Mr. Latheef as an accused in the case.
