Close on the heels of the dispute over the mayoral candidate in Kochi Corporation, Congress is now grappling with discord over assigning a single term to the chairperson in Thrikkakara municipality, where the United Democratic Front (UDF) holds a comfortable majority, after local MLA Uma Thomas submitted a petition to the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).
In a departure from past practice, Congress allotted the full term of the chairperson’s post to Rashid Ullamppilly. Since the formation of the municipality, the UDF had traditionally opted for split terms, often with disastrous consequences, or yielded to hard bargaining by rebels-turned-independent councillors.
Reportedly, Ms. Thomas wanted the post to be shared between Mr. Ullamppilly and Shaji Vazhakkala, a former chairperson, despite Mr. Ullamppilly enjoying a clear majority in the parliamentary party. Ms. Thomas said to have cited the split-term arrangement for the Kochi mayoral candidate to back her demand. After raising the issue before the Ernakulam District Congress Committee (DCC), which was not receptive, she petitioned the KPCC.
“The party, cutting across group affiliations, and the larger UDF were in favour of a single term, as split terms proved ineffective. We want to ensure effective development in an area that hosts Infopark, SmartCity, and the district administration, now that the UDF has a clear majority. The Indian Union Muslim League has also fixed a single term for the vice chairperson candidate, even though they have four women among their six councillors and could have opted for multiple terms. The people too desire a stable and sustainable regime for the full five years,” said DCC President Muhammed Shiyas.
To placate Ms. Thomas, she has been assured that a meeting will be convened once MP Hibi Eden, who is currently out of town, returns to discuss the matter. However, it is unlikely that the present arrangement will be altered.
Initially, M.S. Anilkumar, Thrikkakara East Mandalam President, had also staked a claim to the post, citing that 12 out of 17 UDF candidates from his jurisdiction had won. He too had petitioned the DCC in this regard.