Stir in TVM Corpn As BJP Councillor Jailer Under Anti Social Act Gets Leave
The leave application of the Vazhottukonam ward councillor Sugathan was passed with the support of the BJP members and independent councillor Sudheesh
Thiruvananthapuram: Noisy scenes were witnessed at the Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation council meeting on Friday after the ruling BJP secured approval for a six-month leave for its councillor, R Sugathan, who is currently lodged in jail under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA).
The move triggered strong protests from the opposition.
The leave application of the Vazhottukonam ward councillor Sugathan was passed with the support of the BJP members and independent councillor Sudheesh.
Mayor V V Rajesh exercised his casting vote in favour of the application after it secured the support of 51 members in the 101-member council.
The opposition UDF and LDF members staged protests inside the council hall by raising slogans against what they termed an attempt to protect a councillor jailed under KAAPA.
Opposition members stood in front of the Mayor's podium and continued their protest, alleging that the move was illegal and undemocratic.
During the meeting, UDF leader K S Sabarinadhan questioned the Mayor under which provision of the Kerala Municipality Act the leave was being granted to a councillor lodged in preventive detention.
LDF parliamentary party leader S P Deepak alleged that the Mayor was shielding a KAAPA detainee through an illegal and anti-democratic move and said the opposition would launch a legal fight against the decision.
Addressing a press conference after the council meeting, Mayor Rajesh said Sugathan had submitted a leave application, which was duly approved by the council in accordance with the Kerala Municipality Act.
He said the application received the support of the ruling front and independent councillor Sudheesh.
Rajesh said he exercised his casting vote as the Mayor had a responsibility to protect the membership of an elected representative.
The Mayor further said based on the request of the jailed councillor, a circular had been issued by the state Home Department which clearly states that he can protect his councillorship if a leave application is submitted to the council and if that is accepted.