Thiruvananthapuram: At its 15th meeting under the BJP-led administration, the city corporation council on Saturday decided to recommend the dismissal of junior health inspector M O Anuroop, arrested in connection with an alleged sexual exploitation case at a spa.The council also decided to seek govt approval to form a society, on the Kochi corporation model, focusing on urban development, heritage conservation and resource mobilisation. It will also organise a conclave to find solutions to the city’s drinking water scarcity, waste management crisis and waterlogging.The meeting, however, witnessed heated exchanges. BJP councillors first welcomed Vazhottukonam councillor R Sugathan, after the high court set aside a preventive detention order against him. They then demanded action against CPM ward councillor representing Thrikkannapuram Ajin S, who faces a vigilance probe over alleged bribery. They displayed placards and raised slogans seeking his removal from the council.The stray dog menace also triggered sharp exchanges. UDF parliamentary party leader K S Sabarinadhan alleged the corporation lacked basic data on stray dogs captured and sterilised, and had failed to make significant progress despite spending considerable amounts.UDF councillor Sudheer Khan said stray dogs continued to pose a problem in Vizhinjam ward, and several other opposition councillors echoed him. Health standing committee chairman M R Gopan responded to the allegations. Mayor V V Rajesh asked councillors to identify govt-owned land in their wards for stray dog shelters.LDF councillor R P Shivaji criticised the administration for not announcing major development projects as it nears a year in office. The mayor said the administration was not interested in announcing projects merely for publicity or wasting public money, citing the Vilappilsala waste treatment plant, slaughterhouse and Smart City projects as examples.The meeting ended amid protests, with both opposition fronts walking out over separate issues. UDF councillors left alleging failure to tackle the stray dog menace. LDF members entered the well of the council, accusing ruling front councillors of personal attacks and alleging that the mayor was denying them a chance to raise public issues. They then boycotted the meeting and staged a dharna outside the corporation office.
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