Move to replace Thiruvananthapuram city corporation’s counsel raises eyebrows

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a surprise decision, Mayor Arya Rajendran has recommended to replace Nandakumara Menon, who has been functioning as the standing counsel of Thiruvananthapuram city corporation for nearly three decades. The agenda will come for approval of the council on Tuesday. As per the decision, Suman Chakravarthy will replace Menon.
The decision has come as a surprise to many, including senior corporation officials.During the past three decades, Menon has been instrumental in winning favourable orders for city corporation in highly contentious issues. When the Vilappilsala issue ballooned into a major controversy, he had won interim orders protecting the interests of the civic body and even won an order securing police protection to reopen the waste treatment plant.
In 2019, Menon salvaged the corporation’s pride by winning a stay order against PCB’s show cause notice regarding its failure in waste management.
Recently when private water tanker owners sought to derail the corporation’s online booking system for water supply, corporation won a favourable court order owing to Menon’s efforts. It is learnt that Mayor did not communicate the matter to Menon who has worked with six mayors.
“He has made crucial interventions in various cases. The decision to replace such a senior counsel with immense experience is puzzling,” an official said.