BJP faces crisis in Pandalam with its chairperson and vice-chairperson stepping down

The resignations came abruptly on the eve of a scheduled discussion of a no-confidence motion moved by the LDF against the BJP-led council

Nearly four years after making history by single-handedly securing a majority in the Pandalam municipal council, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is grappling with a major crisis with the municipal chairperson Susheela Santosh and vice-chairperson U. Remya on Tuesday stepping down from their posts.

The resignations came abruptly on the eve of a scheduled discussion of a no-confidence motion moved by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) against the BJP-led council. While both leaders have cited personal reasons for their resignations, party insiders confirm the move stems from the likely success of the no-confidence motion.

Despite holding 18 of the 33 seats in the council, the BJP faces a precarious situation as a faction led by former BJP parliamentary party leader K.V. Prabha is expected to back the motion. Mr. Prabha, a senior BJP leader, has been suspended from the party since September 12.

“The odds are against the ruling council, as the BJP rebels led by K.V. Prabha, are certain to support the motion. The United Democratic Front (UDF) on its part, too has expressed its support for the move,” pointed out a senior BJP leader.

Efforts by the BJP leadership to resolve the internal crisis have been unsuccessful so far. Even the BJP State president K. Surendran’s attempts to mediate have failed to yield results. BJP district president V.A. Sooraj could not be reached for comment.

Of the BJP’s 18 councillors in the Pandalam municipal council, 14 are women. Meanwhile, the LDF holds nine seats, the UDF has five, and one seat belongs to an independent member.

Though it used to command a strong presence in and around Pandalam, BJP was pushed to the third place in the municipality during the previous Assembly as well as Parliamentary elections. The seething troubles within the party also prompted a handful of its active workers to switch sides to the CPI(M).

Published - December 03, 2024 08:15 pm IST