Mayor K. Chandrika has chosen to opt out of contesting for the coming civic body elections on the grounds that she needed “a break from hectic political life.”
Ms. Chandrika, a two-time councillor representing Muttada in the Corporation, has decided not to enter the poll fray. “I have decided not to contest civic body elections, due to personal reasons. I have decided to take a break for two to three months. But I am not leaving politics,” she said at a press conference here. She has decided to opt out from the fray even after her ward was reserved for women.
Sources in the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) told The Hindu that she had already informed the party about her decision not to contest local body elections. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) had commenced internal deliberations among various constituents of the front in selecting wards and candidates. The party might also give tickets to some heavy weights in the district unit, the source said.
“We have started internal deliberations. Within a few days, the party will come out with manifesto for the elections,” said a senior functionary of the CPI (M).
On the Green Tribunal order directing city Corporation to shift Vilappilsala plant, she said the civic body was yet to receive a copy of the order. The Corporation has three months time to go for appeal and the onus will be on the next council to take a final call on the legal recourse.
Ms Chandrika said ever since plant was shut in 2011 following resistance from local people over dumping of waste in the Corporation had been promoting decentralised garbage management. Several households in the city have found ways to manage waste on their own, she said.
