Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition UDF is preparing to move a no-confidence motion against BJP-led council in city corporation, alleging that civic administration failed to govern the city effectively during its first six months in office. However, the motion is unlikely to be taken up at Monday’s council meeting, as Kerala Municipality Rules require a prior notice of at least 15 days before a no-confidence motion can be considered.UDF parliamentary party leader K S Sabarinadhan said his party decided to serve notice for the motion, accusing BJP administration of “complete administrative paralysis” and failing to discharge its responsibilities. He said corporation had failed to address several civic issues, especially increasing incidence of communicable diseases in the state capital.“BJP-led council completely failed to govern corporation over the past six months. Administrative decisions have come to a standstill, and city is witnessing an alarming rise in communicable diseases. We will issue notice for a no-confidence motion because present administration has lost the moral right to continue,” Sabarinadhan said. UDF will also hold a sit-in agitation in front of corporation office on Monday morning, he added.UDF, which has 20 councillors, doesn’t have sufficient numbers on its own to move the motion successfully. It will require the support of LDF, which has 29 members and at least one independent councillor. As of Friday, LDF hadn’t announced its stand on the proposal, and no formal discussions had taken place between the two opposition fronts over coordinated action.The political arithmetic became more significant after BJP councillor R Sugathan was remanded in judicial custody in a Kaapa-related case, temporarily reducing BJP’s effective strength in the 101-member council. BJP currently governs the corporation with the support of an independent councillor, giving the ruling side 51 members under normal circumstances. With Sugathan in custody, the effective strength has narrowed, making any future confidence vote politically sensitive.The no-confidence move comes amid escalating political tensions in corporation following Kerala high court’s verdict invalidating the oath taken by 20 BJP councillors, including deputy mayor Asha Nath, after they invoked deities, martyrs and other expressions not permitted under the statutory oath format. The councillors retook the oath on Wednesday in compliance with court’s directives.The controversy intensified on Thursday when CPM and BJP councillors clashed inside corporation office after Left councillors attempted to prevent mayor V V Rajesh and Nath from entering their chambers, alleging procedural irregularities in the fresh oath-taking ceremony. The confrontation led to scuffles, injuries and police intervention, with separate criminal cases registered against Rajesh, Nath and several BJP and CPM councillors based on complaints filed by both sides.Rajesh rejected opposition’s allegations and accused LDF and UDF of acting together to destabilise BJP administration. “LDF and UDF have been working in tandem to obstruct the functioning of corporation. Yesterday’s violence outside my chamber was part of that conspiracy. Instead of allowing corporation to function, opposition is trying to create chaos for political gains,” he said.Despite the confrontation, Monday’s council meeting is expected to proceed as scheduled. While UDF is expected to formally initiate the process for a no-confidence motion by submitting the required notice, the motion itself can only be taken up after the mandatory notice period expires. The outcome will largely depend on whether LDF supports UDF’s move in coming weeks.
