Suspension of ro-ro services: Mayor’s resignation sought

Civic body failed to obtain mandatory licences for vessels, allege LDF councillors

Opposition councillors staging a protest demanding the resignation of Mayor Soumini Jain in the city on Monday.

Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) councillors have begun an agitation demanding the resignation of Mayor Soumini Jain for what they termed as the failure of the civic administration in making the necessary arrangements for operating the roll-on roll-off service.

The service of the vessel had to be called off due to technical glitches soon after the inaugural run.

The councillors alleged that the authorities didn’t obtain the mandatory licence for operating the two vessels. The civic administration hastily organised the inauguration by inviting the Chief Minister, even though it had not made necessary arrangements for operating the vessels, they said.

They were of the view that a case should be booked against the Mayor for facilitating the illegal operation of the vessels in Kochi backwaters.

The councillors laid siege to the Corporation office till 5 p.m. on Monday. K.J. Antony, the LDF leader in the council, inaugurated the agitation. V.P. Chandran presided over the meeting.

Poornima Narayan, the chairperson of the Education Standing Committee of the Corporation, and LDF councillors Gimini, K.J. Baisal, Sheebalal, Jayanthi Premath, Benedict Fernandez and O.P Sunil spoke.

The agitation will continue on Wednesday.

The councillors demanded that a special meeting of the Corporation council should be convened to discuss the issue, said a statement issued by Mr. Chandran.