Fort Kochi Boat Tragedy: Opposition calls for Mayor’s resignation

Kochi: Noisy scenes disrupted the proceedings of the urgent meeting of the City Corporation council convened on Wednesday to discuss the Fort Kochi boat tragedy. The trouble began when Mayor Mr. Tony Chammany tried to defend the allegations leveled by the opposition.

 

Opposition leader in the council K. J Jacob alleged that the Mayor and the ruling bench could not evade responsibility for the mishap. 

 

“Mr. Chammany cannot escape by merely blaming the previous councils for the bad condition of the boat. There is criminal negligence and lapses on the part of the Mayor and officials,” he said.  

 

The CPM councillor alleged that as per the visuals available, the ill-fated boat was in service on the Fort Kochi – Vypeen route the day when it reportedly underwent fitness inspection.

 

“The Mayor and the administrative council members should step down until the judicial probe is over,” he said.  

 

However, Mr. Chammany refuted the allegations and said that the accident happened only because the fishing craft forcefully rammed into the boat.

 

“How can the civic administration be held responsible for such an accident. The opposition is using the tragedy as a tool for political mileage in view of the ensuing local body polls,” he said.

 

Most of the councillors from the ruling bench and opposition participated in the debate.