Kochi: The UDF leadership in Muvattupuzha has accused the opposition of attempting to obstruct development activities and create unrest in the municipality over the allocation of Central Finance Commission (CFC) funds. The UDF leaders also condemned the alleged personal attacks and cyber harassment targeting municipal chairperson Joyce Mary Antony, stating that political protests should not involve intimidation or personal abuse.
In a statement, UDF said the opposition was attempting to disrupt the municipality’s functioning following the approval of projects at the council meeting held on Oct 28. The leaders alleged that opposition moves to block the proposals before the district planning committee could jeopardise the Rs 9 crore allocation.
The leaders said a complaint had been filed with the cyber police over alleged defamatory social media posts targeting the chairperson. Rejecting allegations of political discrimination in fund allocation, the UDF leaders said projects had been selected based on local requirements, infrastructure conditions and govt guidelines. The UDF said it would mobilise public support if attempts to disrupt the municipality’s functioning continued.
They alleged that councillors had blocked the chairperson’s office and prevented her from leaving, forcing women UDF councillors to remain inside the room for nearly half an hour. The UDF also claimed that some of its councillors sustained injuries and sought medical treatment. They maintained that the municipality would not allow such incidents to derail its development activities. They cited allocations for roads, school facilities and drinking water in wards represented by BJP and LDF councillors as evidence that political affiliation had not determined funding decisions.
They also challenged those alleging corruption in the Triveni Onam celebrations to produce evidence, stating that the accounts had been presented before the relevant committees and the municipal council.