'Arya Rajendran was a better mayor than me'; Sivankutty welcomes result

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Education Minister V Sivankutty said if power was obtained in the corporation, everyone would have said that Arya Rajendran was a better mayor. He also said that Arya was a better mayor than him. After the setback for the LDF in the corporation, there was severe criticism against Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran. Allegations of flaws in the mayor's administration were also raised on social media. The minister's response came after this.

'If power was obtained in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, everyone would have said that Arya was a better mayor. I was the mayor of Thiruvananthapuram for five years. More development work has been done now than when I was the mayor. It was a democratic election. I welcome the result. I respect the will of the people. When we examine the voting percentage, the Left Democratic Movement has gone a bit back. This has happened before too. It is not a new thing. We will move forward with more strength after examining the flaws. The Sabarimala gold theft has not affected the local body elections. Kerala will defend itself against the central labor codes. An alternative employment policy will be formulated. A labor conclave will be held in Thiruvananthapuram on December 19 in this regard. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate it,' said Sivankutty.

Asked whether the LDF and UDF will support an independent to govern the corporation, he said that they will not try to overthrow the governing body that came to power democratically.