With less than a year to go for the local body elections in Kerala, yet another episode of political drama is unfolding in the Pala municipality with the Opposition moving a no-confidence motion against chairman Shaju V. Thuruthan.

Despite the Left Democratic Front (LDF) holding a clear majority in the council, internal rifts within the Kerala Congress (M) over the chairman’s tenure have given the United Democratic Front (UDF) an opportunity to challenge the leadership. Jimmy Joseph, an Independent councillor in the Opposition, has submitted a letter to Binu John, district joint director of the Local Self-Government department, calling for the motion. The no-confidence motion is scheduled for discussion and voting on February 14.

All eight Opposition councillors have signed the motion, alleging that the yearly leadership changes within the ruling party have led to an administrative stagnation.

The 26-member Pala municipal council consists of 16 LDF councillors, including 10 KC(M) members, five Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] members, and one Communist Party of India member. The CPI(M) had previously expelled councillor Binu Pulikkakandam following disagreements within the LDF.

The incumbent chairman assumed office a year ago, taking over from Josin Bino of the CPI(M). According to a power-sharing agreement struck within the coalition, Mr. Thuruthan was supposed to step down after a year in favour of Thomas Peter of the KC(M). However, he has refused to resign, dismissing any such arrangement. “Let the no-confidence motion be discussed in the council, and I will decide accordingly. I will step down only if I receive a directive from party chairman Jose K. Mani,” Mr. Thuruthan said.

Meanwhile, the KC(M) district leadership has issued a stern warning, demanding his resignation before the no-confidence motion. “The party leadership has made it clear that he must step down. The KC(M) councillors have also served him a letter demanding his resignation, but he seems unwilling to relent. If he does not resign before the deadline, the party will take necessary steps to remove him,” said Lopus Mathew, KC(M) Kottayam district president.