KOCHI: In the 13 municipalities and 82 panchayats in the district, horse-trading and bargaining galore are going on in those civic bodies where both the Fronts have no clear majority. Political parties are probing all possibilities for formation of ruling councils in the hung local bodies and holding negotiations with party rebels and independents.
In the district, Thrikkakara, Maradu and Koothattukulam are the municipalities where there is no clear mandate for any of the parties. In Thrikkakara, the fast developing IT and realty hub of Kochi, ruling the municipal council is prestigious for both the LDF and UDF.
As the UDF has 21 members and LDF 20 in the 43-member council, the support of the two independents is crucial for both fronts. M.M Nazar, CPM rebel and Sabu Francis, Congress rebel are yet to openly declare their support.
The grapevine is that the LDF, which needs the support of both rebels, is holding negotiations by offering some key posts.
However, the UDF leadership is yet to start any official discussions with the rebels. Political parties are not in a hurry in Thrikkakara as the term of the outgoing council ends only by November 30.
In Maradu, another major commercial and realty hub of the district, the UDF and LDF have 15 councillors each in the 33-member council and the support of two Congress rebels and a woman independent is what both the political fronts are angling for.
According to Congress insiders, the party is not keen on forming the council though it is easier for it to get the support of the rebels.
Meanwhile, the LDF is learnt to have started negotiations with the rebels by offering the post of standing committee chairman.
Similar is the situation in the newly formed Koothattukulam municipality where the UDF secured 12 seats, LDF 11 and independents two.
Though Congress leaders held discussions with the party rebels, they are learnt to have demanded the post of chairman and negotiations are on.
Even in Kochi Corporation, there are allegations of horse-trading within the Congress factions for the key posts.
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