Congress, IUML allege CPM–BJP tacit deal behind BJP’s first standing committee win in Kozhikode Corporation

Kozhikode: Congress and IUML have alleged that a tacit understanding between CPM and BJP enabled the latter to secure a standing committee chairmanship for the first time in the history of Kozhikode corporationAddressing media on Wednesday DCC president K Praveenkumar said in the tax appeal standing committee chairperson election where UDF and BJP had equal strength, CPM's lone member had an opportunity to adopt a position that would keep BJP out. Instead, CPM chose to abstain from the election to help BJP, he alleged. He said the allegations now being levelled against Congress are aimed to cover up this collusion. He said there were no lapses either in UDF's nominations or in the voting process. It was the party with a majority that decided which standing committee chairmanships to concede, he said. Praveenkumar alleged that CPM concealed from UDF which committee it was willing to give up, and CPM's decision to stay away from filing a nomination in the general category of tax appeal standing committee worked in BJP's favour. Muslim League district president M A Rasaq Master also alleged that the understanding between CPM and BJP was reached after a CPM district committee meeting attended by the chief minister and that CPM effectively laid the bridge for BJP's victory. BJP councillor Vineetha Sajeevan was elected as chairperson of tax appeal standing committee in a draw of lots on Tuesday. The nine-member committee comprised four UDF councillors, four BJP councillors and one LDF councillor. With LDF member staying away from the voting process, the chairpersonship went to BJP through a draw of lots.