Union Minister for Defence A.K. Antony’s call for truce among warring factions of the Congress is likely to have little effect in the Kochi Corporation ruled by the party.
The ‘I’ faction Congress councillors, who have raised the flag of revolt against the civic administration led by ‘A’ group nominee and Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany, will continue their protest in the council and party.
Mr. Antony, while speaking at a meeting held here on Saturday, had urged the factions to bury their hatchets and work for the party.
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Meanwhile, two senior Congress councillors from the ‘I’ faction apprised KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala of their demands. The party’s State president had offered to look into the issue, said a councillor.
The group will stick to its demand for a change of guard at the civic administration, including the chairpersons of the standing committees.
The faction’s course of action would depend on decisions taken with regard to their demands, he said.
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The faction was of the view that the party should get its due share in the administration. A few United Democratic Front (UDF) constituents, with two or three representatives in the council, had walked away with significant posts in the civic administration, the councillor said.
The rebelling faction had been boycotting Congress parliamentary party meetings since the relation between the groups turned sour.
The representatives of the group are unlikely to attend the meetings till a decision on the demand for leadership change is taken.
Though the civic administration succeeded in passing the annual budget following a conciliatory meeting convened by DCC president V.J. Poulose, the support of the faction is required for the smooth functioning of the administration.
Poulose had also promised to take up the issue with the party leadership.
The ‘A’ faction had earlier turned down the demand for change of leadership in the council as it enjoyed the support of a majority of Congress councillors.