Six-month leave granted to R Sugathan; Council approves application amid opposition protests

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Corporation Council has approved the six-month leave application of BJP councillor R Sugathan of Vazhottukonam, jailed in KAAPA case. Mayor V V Rajesh informed approving his leave application. The mayor said that his leave request was approved with 51 votes, backed by two independent councillors. Following the decision, opposition members trooped to the well of the council hall and protested.

The application secured 51 votes, including the mayor’s casting vote, the vote of Poundkadavu ward independent councillor Sudheesh and Kannammoola councillor Pattoor Radhakrishnan. Under Section 91 of the Kerala Municipality Act, 1994, a councillor who remains absent from three consecutive council meetings without permission is liable to be disqualified.

Had Sugathan been disqualified, the BJP-led administration, which depends on the support of an independent councillor, would have lost its simple majority in the Corporation Council. By approving the leave application, the ruling side managed to avert that possibility.

The Kerala Municipality Act allows councillors to be granted leave for up to six months with the council's approval. Mayor Rajesh confirmed that Sugathan has been exempted from attending council meetings for the next six months. He also read out a circular issued by the home department in support of the decision.