Both the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) are busy plotting strategies to take political advantage of the resignation of the Maradu municipality vice-chairman to secure a decisive hold on power in one of the richest local bodies in the State even as election to the post draws near.
The UDF foresees that once they wrests the vice-chairman’s post there is a possibility of bringing about a no-confidence motion against the reigning chairperson and independent councillor Divya Anilkumar who has the backing of the LDF.
The LDF, on the other hand, sees a chance in wresting back the vice-chairman’s post vacated by Congress incumbent Antony Asanparambil.
Political observers, however, said the lack of unity in both the LDF and the UDF continued to hold back the fronts from making a decisive move for power in Maradu. Differences of opinion persist in Congress ‘A’ faction over treatment of its leader Mr. Asanparambil, not to mention the ‘I’ faction. The LDF also remains a divided house, making political lightweight Ms. Anilkumar a convenient choice for them.
Mr. Asanparambil stepped down as vice-chairman last month alleging that the party leadership was supporting out of the way an INTUC activist on whose petition he was arrested on a case of kidnapping and assault.
In the 33-member council, both the fronts have 15 seats each. Of the three independent councillors, Boban Nedumparambil and Jaffar Pappana contested as Congress rebels while Ms. Anilkumar was in the chairperson’s saddle.
Split term
UDF sources said that one of the two Congress rebels who were back in the UDF camp would be fielded as the vice-chairman candidate in the soon-to-be-held election. The informal understanding is to give a split term to the two.
“We have left the matter to the District Congress Committee (DCC) which will meet to deliberate on the issue on Saturday. Once we successfully contest the vice-chairman’s post, we will also move a no-confidence motion against Ms. Anilkumar to wrest the power in the municipality,” said R.K. Suresh Babu, DCC general secretary.
But that’s easier said than done as an understanding continues to elude the two Congress rebels over who should get the first of the split term. This lack of understanding was also the reason why Mr. Asanparambil got the vice-chairman’s post following the resignation of LDF’s K.A. Devassy.
Mr. Nedumparambil said that he had been denied the vice-chairman’s post twice by the UDF and once by the LDF and hence should be given the first term to maintain his political base in his ward in the face of debilitating tactics played by LDF supporters ever since he went back to the UDF. He said that he would take a neutral position if the UDF denied him the chance again.
Mr. Pappana, however, declined to reveal anything stating that the matter was before the party leadership. Interestingly, Mr. Asanparambil pledged support to the UDF though he was suspended from the party.
A senior LDF leader said the strategy to be adopted would be decided by the CPI(M) area committee.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Election Commission has decided the date of the election to the post of the vice-chairman and will notify it shortly.
