Congress pulls the plug, Kerala Congress (M) rule in last leg

Kottayam: With the Congress party deciding to withdraw support to the Kerala Congress (M) in the Ramapuram Panchayat in protest against allowing a rock quarry to function at Kottamala, its one-year rule is coming to an abrupt end. They assumed office on November 19, and it was for the first time their alliance in a local body collapsing after the KC (M) officially severed its ties with the UDF on August 9, though they had decided to continue their alliance in the local bodies. The Congress is now furious at allowing St Basil's Industries to mine the rock quarry despite brewing protests.

Panchayat secretary M.N. Harikumar went on leave after issuing the licence on a Kerala High Court judgment after the firm obtained a clearance certificate from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). Meanwhile, the Supreme Court had directed the panchayat to go to the state environment ministry when it challenged the legal sanctity of the SEIAA clearance. However, the protesters say the panchayat issued the license hastily.

Ramapuram mandal Congress president D. Prasad Bhakthivilasom said they would submit a formal letter withdrawing the support to the returning officer and the panchayat secretary on Monday. He said the panchayat could have issued a stop memo if the KC (M) had no vested interest in it. "We will stake a claim to form an alternative dispensation with the support of others," he told DC. The KC(M) has six seats in the 18-member council followed by the Congress (five), LDF (3), BJP (2) and independents (2).