The Telegraph

Kalimpong, July 18: The chairman of the Kalimpong Municipality, C.K. Kumai, has refused to comply with the Opposition demand to convene a special meeting for a no-confidence motion on the basis of a letter written to him on July 11.

The 14 councillors, who sought the special meeting for the no-trust motion against the GNLF-run board, had wanted to hold the meeting on July 24.

Kumai, however, said the councillors were free to make a requisition for the meeting, but the letter has to be sent any time on or after July 24. He said he would not consider the intimation dated July 11 and reached him on July 14.

Since the government rules stipulate that the chairman must convene a special meeting if sought by at least one-third of the board members within 15 days of their asking for it, Kumai said in this particular case, the period should start from on or after July 24.

Kumai had defeated an opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion on January 24. Since, according to the municipality rules, similar resolution can be moved only after six months, the GNLF leader said the Opposition councillors could start the process of tabling a fresh no-trust motion against him only on or after July 24.

Morcha leaders were understandably angry by Kumai’s “intransigence”. “How many more days can he hang on to his chair? I find his attitude childish and intransigent. In any case, we had not sought the meeting on July 24,” said Norden Lama, a senior Morcha leader and councillor of Ward no 7.

Observers said given the manner in which Kumai has held on to his fort, it looks unlikely he will summon the special meeting within 15 days of the receipt of fresh requisition.

“If he does not do so, the Opposition can requisition the vice-chairman. However, since the present incumbent K.H. Subba, too, is of the GNLF and unlikely to oblige, the Opposition will have to wait for almost a month from July 24 to see the end of Kumai,” he added.

The municipality rules states that if the chairman fails to call a meeting within 15 days, the councillors can requisition the vice-chairman. If the vice-chairman, too, fails to call the meeting within seven days, any three councillors can summon the meeting within seven days.