Jinoji Edwards, president of Adichanallur village panchayat in Kerala and CPI leader, cycled nearly 30 kilometers to attend a government function because he could not get a government vehicle. After Panchayat Secretary Flosi Lass refused to give him a government vehicle, he staged a novel protest. The function held at Fort Kollam Church was attended by Minister of State Bindu and Kollam Mayor AK Hafeez. Edwards arrived at the venue on his bicycle and described it as his official vehicle.
President Edwards complained that he was not given the car because of a dispute over tar or a tar mixing plant in the panchayat. He and 21 elected members protested the initiative recently. The panchayat then sent a notice through its secretary directing the company to stop work. This incident has given rise to fresh conflict between the elected representatives of the panchayat and the administrative officers.
The CPI leader claimed that the secretary did not give him the car in retaliation for speaking against the industry. The secretary told him that it is not a government program so the car will not be given. In protest, he cycled 15 km from Adichanallur to Kollam and back 15 km from Kollam to Adichanallur, a total of 30 km.
He also complained to the state minister demanding action against the secretary. The panchayat president said he opted for a symbolic protest instead of launching an intense agitation against the secretary. However, there was no immediate response from the panchayat secretary regarding the complaint.