The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : UDF wins no-trust motion in Vizhinjam

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Thursday, Jul 31, 2008
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UDF wins no-trust motion in Vizhinjam

Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: The Opposition UDF captured the Vizhinjam gram panchayat committee from the LDF, after it won the vote on a no-confidence motion on Wednesday with the help of four defectors from the ruling front.

The LDF members, including panchayat president Asuntha Mohan, stayed away from the meeting called to discuss the no-trust motion moved by UDF committee leader Mukkola Unni.

Athiyannoor block panchayat secretary D. Lal Renjan who chaired the meeting, declared the motion passed.

With four of the LDF members crossing over to the Opposition, the ruling front was left with only 10 members in the 22-member committee.

The UDF, which earlier had eight members, gained four members.

The meeting was held amid tight security. A heavy police posse led by a Deputy Commissioner was posted in the panchayat to prevent untoward incidents. Police also deployed a water cannon and the anti-sabotage squad was kept ready.

Acting on a Court order, the police brought the 12 UDF members to the panchayat office under security cover. After the no-confidence motion was adopted,

UDF workers took out a victory march. LDF activists also staged a protest rally in the panchayat.

The success of the no-trust motion brings an end to over 20 years of LDF rule in the Vizhinjam panchayat. The new panchayat president will be elected later.

The District Congress Committee termed the no-trust win a warning against the corrupt administration of local bodies by the CPI(M).

A pressnote quoting DCC president V.S. Sivakumar said the failure to utilise Plan funds and external assistance had led to widespread resentment even among the CPI(M) benches in the Vizhinjam panchayat committee.

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