N Venugopal may become GCDA chief

KOCHI: KPCC general secretary and Congress councillor N Venugopal is likely to become the new chairman of the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA). According to reliable sources, the official declaration in this regard will be made after the next cabinet meeting.The UDF has already taken a decision in appointing Venugopal as the chairman of GCDA,they said.Earlier, the names of Venugopal and senior Congress leader A C Jose from the I group were doing the rounds for the post. From the A group, the prominent names for the post included that of K Mohammed Ali and M O John. Simi Rosebell John was also in the race for the post. According to sources in the Congress, the party had already taken a final decision on sharing the chairmanship of nearly 80 boards and corporations among its constituents.“The Congress will have its own nominees in 38 chairman posts, while 18 will be given to the Muslim League and 10 to the Kerala Congress,” said the sources.Two other constituents-the JSS and the CMP, which do not have any representation in the present Assembly, will also be given chairman posts. Meanwhile, if Venugopal is appointed as the new chairman, he will have to resign from the post of councillor. He is at present a councillor from the Island South division.Sources said Venugopal had been chosen for the post in a bid to silence him from criticising present Mayor Tony Chammany and his team.“Venugopal had not hesitated to criticise the Mayor after he was sidelined in the race for the post of Mayor election,” sources said.They said that once Venugopal moves out of the Corporation, the present council and Mayor could act more freely,” added the sources.