The Left Democratic Front (LDF) is on the back foot in the Thrissur Corporation with the Kerala High Court seeking explanation from the LDF-led civic body on an allegation of manipulation of minutes of council meetings.
The Opposition UDF had approached the High Court with a plea that the LDF corrected the minutes to its advantage. The UDF alleged that the three corrections made in the minutes related to financial dealings, which indicated corruption. Moreover, the LDF had opposed voting on the issue. The UDF plea is to cancel the corrected minutes and for a directive for voting on the issue.
“Why the ruling front is scared of voting if everything is right,” UDF councillors are asking.
The High Court, which accepted the petition on file, has sought an explanation from the Corporation. The court will consider the case next week.
It is for the first time that the LDF, which does not have majority in the Corporation, is facing such a dilemma.
As the Congress and the BJP are on the same page on the issue, it will be difficult for the LDF to win if the matter is put to vote. In the 55-member council, the LDF has 26 seats (CPI-M - 21, CPI - 3, Janata Dal (S) - 1, CMP rebel -1), UDF 23 (Congress -23), and the BJP 6.
However, DCC president T.N. Prathapan dismissed rumours of a possible alliance between the Congress and the BJP against the LDF in the council.
“The Congress will fight it alone against corruption and breach of law and procedures of the council by the CPI(M). The ruling party has been breaching municipal laws. Even the allies of the LDF have differences of opinion with the CPI(M). Though the ruling LDF does have the majority, the agendas of the council have not been discussed. Voting on issues are not allowed. This is obduracy and fascism,” Mr. Prathapan said.
“But the Congress will not try to wrest power from the LDF by foul play or with the support of communal parties. The people have chosen us as Opposition. We don’t even seek participation of the BJP for protests against the LDF,” he said.
