Thiruvananthapuram: BJP disrupts council meet alleging graft

Thiruvananthapuram: Corporation Council witnessed noisy scenes on Wednesday with opposition BJP councillors alleging corruption during the tenure of previous Mayor and demanding the tabling of Audit Report 2013-14.

The Opposition councillors raised the corruption allegations citing the audit report. The report stated that the Corporation had failed to collect property tax worth Rs 41,66,84,538.

BJP councillor from Valiyavila, Girikumar demanded discussion on the corruption issue and also the important matters concerning the city in the council.  However, Mayor V K Prasanth refused to table it in the meeting saying that it was not part of the agenda.

Later in a press statement, the Mayor said the report was being examined by Finance Standing Committee. It would be tabled after , a detailed analysis, he added.

The Mayor asked respective standing council chairpersons to present the pre decided agenda for meeting. The agenda placed by the chairpersons were passed by voice vote amid slogan shouting by BJP councillors. The meeting was later adjourned in the din.

Earlier, BJP District President S Suresh had issued a press earlier alleging corruption to the tune of crores of rupees during the previous Mayor’s tenure. He said that as per the audit report, not even fifty per cent of the tax was collected by the council.

He also alleged financial irregularities in EMS housing project and the purchase of school lab equipment.