LDF says it won’t back no-confidence motion against BJP in Thiruvananthapuram Corp

‘Matter of policy’

Senior CPI(M) leader and Thiruvananthapuram district secretary V Joy said the Left Democratic Front could not join a no-confidence motion brought by the UDF under the present circumstances as it was a matter of policy.

"We cannot join a no-confidence motion brought by the UDF now. It is a policy matter. Therefore, in the present circumstances, it is not possible," the Varkala MLA told reporters.

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However, Joy said the present situation may not remain the same forever, indicating that changing political circumstances could prompt the Left to review its stand in the future.

Debate better than protests, says UDF

Despite the LDF's position, the Congress-led UDF’s Parliamentary Party leader KS Sabarinathan expressed hope that the Left would eventually support the motion.

He said moving a no-confidence motion was the constitutional right of the Opposition, particularly when the BJP-led administration had allegedly failed to effectively carry forward even existing projects after completing six months in office.

"The Opposition has a responsibility to bring these issues before the people. I don't think the LDF will reject an opportunity for a constructive debate through a no-confidence motion," he told reporters, adding that participating in such a debate was better than merely staging protests outside the Corporation office.

UDF alleges ‘BJP-CPI(M) understanding’

Later in the day, Sabarinathan toughened his stand, alleging that the LDF's refusal to back the motion reflected an understanding between the CPI(M) and the BJP.

He said that the Left was denying an opportunity for discussion against the BJP-led Corporation administration and claimed it was doing so in return for Mayor V V Rajesh continuing contractual appointments made by them in the civic body.

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Senior CPI(M) leader and former minister V Sivankutty hit back, describing the UDF's announcement of the no-confidence motion as "a big joke".

He alleged that the Congress-led front was well aware that it lacked the required strength in the council to move such a motion, but had announced it only to protect the BJP.

Senior CPI(M) leader hits back

Sivankutty further alleged that there was a "clear deal" between the BJP and the UDF to divert public attention from the Corporation's alleged administrative failures and accused the Congress-led front of trying to weaken the LDF's public agitations by acting as the BJP's "B team".

Mayor Rajesh, meanwhile, said the Opposition was free to exercise its constitutional right to move a no-confidence motion once every six months.

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He said the BJP had assumed office expecting that the CPI(M) and the Congress might eventually join hands to bring such a motion.

Rajesh welcomed the Opposition's move but clarified that the no-confidence motion would not come up for discussion at Monday's council meeting, which would proceed with its scheduled business.

"The no-confidence motion will not come up for discussion on Monday. The council meeting will proceed smoothly and the scheduled business will be taken up," he said.

Charges against BJP administration

The UDF recently announced a protest in front of the Corporation office on June 29 and plans to initiate further steps towards moving the no-confidence motion, accusing the BJP administration of administrative paralysis and failure to address issues such as waste management, stray dog attacks, and drinking water shortage.

In the 101-member Corporation council, the NDA has 50 councillors and the support of one Independent, while the LDF has 29 members and the UDF has 20.