Council meet ends in opposition sit-in

KOZHIKODE: The corporation council meeting on Friday ended in a mass sit-in by the opposition protesting over the denial of permission for an adjournment motion moved by deputy opposition leader K Muhammed Ali about non-execution of public work during 2015-2016. The opposition continued the sit-in late into the night though efforts are on to end the stalemate.
The council meeting adjourned after thirty minutes of its commencement following a ruckus and heated exchange of words between the ruling and the opposition councillors when opposition leader M T Padma said that they will not allow the mayor to continue the council proceedings without allowing Muhammed Ali to present the matter.The mayor denied permission saying that the issue does not call for emergency consideration and asked M Radhakrishnan of CPM to present the adjournment motion about exclusion of city from the list of SmartCity projects.
The mayor adjourned the council meeting after passing the agenda amidst chaos. The opposition members then commenced the sit-in in the well demanding assurance from the mayor to discuss about the failure in taking up public works.
Speaking to media persons, the mayor said that she denied permission to the adjournment motion as deputy opposition leader Muhammed Ali presented the adjournment motion in an essay format and three pages highlighted many issues. "The adjournment motion supposed to be present about a single topic. But Muhammed Ali mentioned many issues which resulted in denial of permission. On the other hand, the adjournment motion moved in the council by M Radhakrishnan needed immediate attention,'' she said.
Meanwhile, deputy opposition leader Muhammed Ali said that the issue on various public works was brought to the attention of the mayor on August 21 at that she had promised to take measures before August 24. "Almost two weeks have passed and the corporation authorities have not been taken any steps to resolve the issue. The mayor denied permission as the ruling party fears that they will get exposed before the public," he said.
He further alleged that the mayor is discussing the adjournment motion of opposition with other CPM members and the opposition will not allow such violations of the council proceedings. Muhammed Ali said that the opposition taken up the civic issues affecting the public.
"Mayor agreed to hold a special council meeting to discuss various developmental issues including the stalling of public works. But, our demand is to convene a special council meeting exclusively on short notice to discuss only about the public works projects as the issues such as non functioning of streetlights and projects including Kalluthankadavu rehabilitation, multi level parking, bus terminals at medical college, Meenchanda, Mankavve working women's hotel not reached anywhere,'' he said.