Date:23/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/23/stories/2008112358430300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Opposition disrupts Council meeting

Staff Reporter

Seeks resignation of Mayor and dismissal of Corporation Council

Photo: Vipin Chandran

ON THE WARPATH: Youth Congress activists trying to barge into the corporation office on Saturday after the council meeting was dismissed following the protests by the Opposition UDF. —

KOCHI: Pandemonium broke out at the Corporation council meeting held here on Saturday as the opposition UDF disrupted the meeting demanding the resignation of the Mayor and dismissal of the ruling council.

Within minutes into the meeting, the entire opposition was on their feet shouting slogans against Mayor Mercy Williams and the ruling front. They flashed placards and media reports on what they alleged as the gross misrule of the Corporation headed by Ms. Williams. Some of them threw torn papers in the direction of the chair.

In his opening remarks, Opposition leader A.B. Sabu said that in the wake of repeated criticism of the Corporation rule by the High Court and the Ombudsman for local self-government bodies, not just the Mayor and the ruling front but the entire council was in the dock. He asked Ms. Williams what was the agenda for the council meet in the light of these criticisms. In her reply Ms. Williams said that the meeting would conduct business as usual evoking vociferous response from opposition benches. In the ensuing din, Ms. Williams dismissed the meeting amidst sloganeering. The opposition then staged a sit-in on the steps leading to the Corporation office.

Later they carried their protest on to the road in front of the corporation office. In a show of solidarity the Youth Congress activists came in a procession and tried to barge into the Corporation office. They were stopped by police personnel who were out in strength.

Earlier, Opposition councillor N. Venugopal set the mood questioning the credibility of the Mayor to chair the meeting.

The Mayor started off the proceedings by placing a resolution moved by councillor P.S. Viju before the council demanding cut in fuel prices in the wake of drop in the price of crude oil in international market. A presentation on the proposed Refuse Derived Fuel plant was made ahead of the council meeting.