PANDALAM: BJP is facing a crisis in the second municipality it is ruling in Kerala. Municipal chairperson Susheela Santhosh and vice-president U Ramya have resigned from their posts as the no-confidence motion is scheduled to be taken up for discussion on Wednesday. In Kerala, BJP is in power in Palakkad and Pandalam municipalities. It is the rebels who have created a crisis for the party here. BJP has 18 members in the 33-ward municipality.

Of the total members, a section of the members, including KV Prabha, councillor of Kurambala North ward, are rebelling. It is with the support of these rebels that the LDF has brought the no-confidence motion. This move has the support of the UDF also. In the municipality, UDF has five members, LDF has nine members and there is an independent. If LDF joins hands with UDF and the rebels, there will be a total of 18 MLAs. The BJP-led governing body is likely to go down in the no-confidence motion.

The chairperson and deputy chairperson of the municipality said that their resignation was not due to fear of the no-confidence motion. Party district president VA Sooraj said the two had resigned due to personal reasons. Of the 18 councillors of the BJP, 14 are women. BJP won 18 of the 33 seats in Pandalam. Pandalam municipality was captured from LDF by BJP.

With just a year to go for the local body elections, BJP is facing major challenges in both the municipalities it holds. However, tomorrow's no-confidence motion is crucial for the party.