Amid political turmoil, Congress opens door for KC(M) in K.M. Mani Hospital panel

Amid mounting speculation of the Congress exploring a tacit understanding with the Kerala Congress (M) [KC(M)] to ease the political pressure from the independent collective in Pala, the United Democratic Front (UDF)-led municipal council has decided to induct a KC(M) member into the newly reconstituted Hospital Management Committee (HMC) of the K.M. Mani Memorial Government General Hospital.

The move brings to an end months of uncertainty over the reconstitution of the HMC of the hospital named after the KC(M) patriarch. The first meeting of the newly constituted committee is scheduled for July 3.

Until now, the council had maintained that the KC(M) could not be accommodated in the HMC as the party did not have representation in the State Legislative Assembly. Although KC(M) district president Lopez Mathew had submitted two separate requests nearly four months ago seeking the inclusion of the party’s nominee, the council kept the matter pending.

With the Congress and the KC(M) now appearing to have reached an understanding, the council is expected to approve the induction of Baiju Kollamparambil as the KC(M) representative at its next meeting. He will be inducted under the category of nominated representatives of recognised political parties.

No explanation

Interestingly, while both the Congress and the KC(M) leaders insist that representation for a recognised regional party in the HMC is mandatory, the UDF has offered no explanation for why the matter remained unresolved for nearly four months.

Apart from Mr. Kollamparambil, KC(M) councillor Biji Jojo is already a member of the HMC in his capacity as the ward councillor. The party has now staked claim to one more berth among the three vacancies reserved for nominated social workers.

“As these three positions must be filled through a unanimous decision by the 26 member municipal council, the UDF will require the support of the KC(M) members to proceed effectively. Hence, the UDF leadership as well as independent collective members will have no other option but to accept the KC(M)’s demand as independent member Binu Pulikkakandam wants to join the HMC through this category,’’ noted a Congress leader.

Congress leaders allege that Mr. Pulikkakandam’s push to enter the HMC is driven by his desire to play a more active role in the administration led by his daughter, municipal chairperson Diya Pulikkakandam, who has limited administrative experience.

The prolonged delay in reconstituting the HMC had fuelled allegations that the exercise was intentionally put on ice until Mr. Pulikkakandam assumed the post of municipal vice-chairperson. But the deepening rift between the Congress and the independent collective has upended those plans. With vice-chairperson Maya Rahul putting her resignation on hold, Mr. Pulikkakandam’s much anticipated entry into the HMC was pushed further down the road.