KOCHI: The ruckus between supporters of the ruling UDF and the opposition LDF in the corporation has marred the opening of the dialysis centre at the Fort Kochi taluk hospital on Saturday. Mayor Soumini Jain, who was to open the centre formally, stayed away. The LDF workers led by K.J. Maxi, MLA, who held a protest before the centre, prevented corporation welfare standing committee chairman A.B. Sabu. Ms Jain told reporters that the behaviour of Mr Maxi was unbecoming of his position. Mr Maxi, however, denied the charges that he was responsible for creating an unpleasant situation and blamed the mayor for it.
Former health minister V.S. Sivakumar inaugurated the centre in September last year without necessary facilities other than installing the dialysis machine, he said. It became functional after the LDF came to power providing the necessary financial assistance. The meeting of the hospital management committee has agreed to bring the health minister K.K. Shailaja for its formal opening. He said he had informed the mayor two days ago that she was available on December 31. The mayor then organised the event on Saturday without informing the committee, he alleged, leading to the protests. He said people opened it without the presence of any VIPs.
