Factional feud may spoil ‘A’ rule at Kalamassery

"There might not be any attempts to oust Ms Peter immediately", said persons familiar with the intensity of the group rivalry. The 'I' group is likely to wait till the Assembly elections to make their moves so as to avoid the prospects of the party in the elections, they said.

"Kalamassery constituency having a sizeable number of Latin Catholic voters is crucial for the Congress in the poll. So ousting Ms Peter, a Latin Catholic, from power immediately may have serious repercussions for the party," they said.

The 'I' group has created a ruckus on Wednesday when 12 councillors belonging to it boycotted the council meeting demanding that Rukia Jamal, wife of the outgoing municipal chairman, should be made the chairperson.

The councillors relented finally on Thursday when the PCC leadership put its foot down and said that a first-time elected person will not be made the municipal chairperson.

Ms Peter, however, told DC that the 'I' group will not create any problems for her administration. "The protest was over and 'I' group members have offered full support for the smooth functioning of the new council," she said.

The 'I' group councillors said that group loyalties will not be a factor in the implementation of development projects by the civic body.

The opposition LDF, meanwhile, is banking on the wrangling between the 'A' and 'I' factions to mount their attacks against the new administration.