LDF's Benedict Fernadez elected metropolitan planning committee chairman
Fernadez was elected chairperson after a tie-breaking draw as both he and Varghese received five votes each.
In the elections held to select MPC members last month, both UDF and LDF had secured five members each. Fernadez and Varghese are the corporation's finance standing committee members. Of the 10 members, four were elected from corporation councillors, two from municipal councillors in MPC region, and four from members of panchayats in the MPC limits.
Two members belonging to LDF and one from UDF were elected from the panchayats.
Two of the municipality representatives are from UDF and while one member is from LDF. Both fronts secured two members each from the corporation.
MPC is yet to find an office, and the govt is yet to clarify the powers and responsibilities of the committee. The MPC is expected to play a key role in the development of Kochi and its suburbs. With the tenure of the committee expiring in Nov, only a couple of meetings of the committee can be held by then. Therefore, chances are minimal for the current MPC to take any major decisions or play any crucial roles related to the administration and development of the city and its suburbs.
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