THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Thiruvananthapuram mayor V K Prasant was injured following unprecedented scenes of violence at the Corporation Council meeting resulting in a clash between CPM and BJP councillors.
The clash broke out between the ruling LDF and the opposition BJP over the installation of high mast lights. The BJP had moved a resolution demanding that the high mast lights be installed in more areas of the Corporation.
Mayor Prasanth replied to the BJP’s resolution by reading out a letter he had written to MLAs and an MP in connection with the issue, stating that the lights shouldn’t be installed in areas that are not important.
Following a discussion on health, public works and public health, the Mayor then concluded the day’s agenda. It was then that the BJP councillors rushed to the floor of the council. It is alleged that BJP councillors blocked the Mayor at the lounge of the Council Hall.
This led to a clash between the members of the BJP and the CPM members. It was in the midst of the scuffle that Mayor Prasanth suffered injuries, including to his head. He was admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.
BJP denied attacking Mayor Prasanth. They said that they blocked him when he refused to discuss the items of the agenda.
CPM alleged that the attack against the Mayor was pre-planned. The BJP attacked Mayor after the media left the Council Hall.
Following the clash, BJP councillors protested outside the Corporation office, raising slogans over their democratic rights being denied. The UDF councillors observed a black day alleging that developmental activities had come to halt in the Corporation.
