KOCHI: The Thrikkakara municipal council, where simmering discontent between ‘A’ and ‘I’ factions in the Congress had created political unrest several times, is likely to witness another phase of instability if the UDF returns to power.
Though the chairman post is reserved for SC woman, both the factions have announced their candidates for the post. If the UDF gets a second term, electing the chairman will be a tough task for the party leadership.
The ‘I’ group has projected Ms Ajitha Thankappan, sitting councillor and works standing committee chairperson, as the most prominent chairman candidate while the ‘A’ faction is fielding Ms Nisha Biju, a new face from Palachuvadu ward. In 2014,
Ms Ajitha Thankappan was expelled after the ‘A’ group councillors moved a no-confidence motion following her refusal to hand over the post as part of a deal.
Both ‘I’ camp follower Mr Shaji Vazhakala and ‘A’ faction member Mr P.I. Muhammad Ali served as chairman of the outgoing council. Mr Muhammad Ali assumed the post when the council took office in 2010.
Though the party leadership instructed him to hand over the baton to Mr Shaji Vazhakkala as per the power-sharing deal, Mr Mohammed Ali refused to resign halfway. This created a flutter within the party affecting the functioning of the civic administration.
Later, Mr. Ali agreed to resign after the Chief Minister intervened. Though Mr. Vazhakala took over as the new chairman, he had to quit when factional feud escalated in 2014, which resulted in the re-election of Mr. Ali.
Meanwhile, refuting the reports of factional feud affecting the party’s prospects this time, Mr Shaji Vazhakala told DC that the Congress could carry out a series of developmental projects.
“Since the chairman post is reserved for SC woman, there is less chance for a dispute over the post. I hope everybody in the party will agree with the decision of the party leadership in this regard,” he said.
