KC(M) turns up heat on Congress in Pala

Summary

Subscribed with another email? The Kerala Congress (M) [KC(M)], the single largest party in the Opposition, has now served notice on the municipal secretary seeking an immediate council meeting. The move comes at a time when the Congress councillors have already declared that they have withdrawn support to the chairperson, but the party leadership has remained conspicuously silent on how the deadlock should be resolved. Leader of the Opposition Biju Paloopadavan maintained that the move was intended to prevent an administrative paralysis rather than trigger a change of guard. ”Since the Congress councillors, who constitute the majority in the ruling front, have unanimously resolved that they no longer have confidence in the chairperson, she cannot effectively exercise the powers vested in her under the Kerala Municipal Act, including granting prior administrative approval for urgent matters. But with 18 of the 26 councillors having publicly withdrawn confidence in the chairperson, the secretary cannot reasonably seek or obtain such approval,” he said. The KC(M) believes the Congress leadership can no longer afford to remain non-committal once the council convenes. Whether the Congress chooses to back the chairperson, vote against her, or abstain, every option carries political consequences. For the Opposition, compelling the Congress to make that choice may prove more valuable than an immediate no-confidence motion, he added. One option gaining traction in political circles is the elevation of Congress rebel Maya Rahul as chairperson, with the KC(M) extending outside support. Such an arrangement would allow the KC(M) to maintain political distance from both the Congress and the UDF while simultaneously creating an opening to rebuild ties with its former ally.