War of words between ruling and opposition fronts in Koothattukulam Municipal Council; will now work with UDF, says Kala Raju

KOCHI: The political rivalry between the ruling and opposition fronts in the Koothattukulam Municipal Council is intensifying. A war of words erupted between the two fronts over various issues, including the abduction of a CPI(M) councillor Kala Raju in connection with the no-confidence motion. Now, Kala Raju, who had previously stated she was leaving the CPI(M), has declared her support for the UDF.

When the council met this morning, the opposition presented a notice demanding the withdrawal of cases against them. However, the municipal chairperson informed that no urgent discussions could be allowed without prior notice. While this led to disagreements, things worsened when UDF councillors accused the municipal chairperson of making derogatory comments about Kala Raju in a confidential statement to the magistrate.

In response, left-wing councillors protested, demanding that such false statements should not be spread under the guise of confidential statements. This led to chaos in the meeting, with UDF councillors staging a sit-in protest in the hall and shouting slogans. Kala Raju stated that the UDF members were intervening for her, and therefore, she would now work with them.

Kala Raju did not attend the CPI(M) parliamentary party meeting held in the morning. She has neither resigned from her party membership nor her councillor position. Kala Raju made it clear that she would now align with the UDF by remaining as a left-wing member.