KC(M) turns up heat on Congress in Pala

As the United Democratic Front (UDF) continues to dither over the Pala municipal crisis, the Opposition has raised the political stakes with a calculated procedural offensive.

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 The move comes at a time when the Congress councillors have already declared that they have withdrawn support to the chairperson, but the party leadership has remained conspicuously silent on how the deadlock should be resolved.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. Such approvals are issued on the understanding that they will subsequently receive the council’s ratification. But with 18 of the 26 councillors having publicly withdrawn confidence in the chairperson, the secretary cannot reasonably seek or obtain such approval,” he said.

A no-confidence motion requires the signatures of at least 14 of the 26 councillors. While the Congress has the numbers, its councillors are unlikely to sign such a notice without the sanction of the party leadership. “A council meeting, however, leaves little room for ambiguity as once discussions begin, every councillor will have to take a stance in full public view,” pointed out a source.

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.

New equation

At the same time, the KC(M) appears to be keeping its options deliberately open. Party sources indicate that it is willing to facilitate the formation of a UDF administration, provided the independent collective led by Binu Pulikkakandam is kept out of the equation. 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.