more-in The Thrikkakara municipal council under the Left Democratic Front led by Chairperson K.K. Neenu has claimed that the municipal rule continued to be constrained by shortage of staff, even as the CPI(M) district leadership is learnt to have warned the party councillors to pull their socks up or face consequences. The municipality, with a total strength of 43 councillors, is under the Left Democratic Front, which assumed power with the support of two rebel candidates - one each from the Left front and the United Democratic Front. Meanwhile, a meeting of the Congress leadership held here on the course of the municipal rule has led to speculation that the UDF was exploring the possibilities for a possible change of guard. Congress sources said that both ‘A’ and ‘I’ factions attended the meeting. The Chairperson said that shortage of staff continued to be a major constraint but felt that the municipality was doing well in terms of project planning and implementation. She termed the current year as one of the best in terms of Plan implementation. The shortage of staff at the municipal office was preventing proper supervision of project works, she said. However, it is learnt that the district leadership of the CPI(M) recently issued a warning to the ruling council members that the municipal rule should not turn into a liability for the party. The councillors had been warned against possible disunity and a lack of purposefulness in running the municipal affairs more seriously on a day-to-day basis. The ruling council has also blamed the perceived lack of effectiveness of governance on the lack of a clear majority in the council. It may be recalled that the municipal council had a run in with the Local Self-Government Department Principal Secretary late last year on issues related to Plan expenditure.

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