MINISTER for Local Government and Tourism Premila Kumar yesterday launched a scathing attack on leaders of past municipal councils, and highlighted a number of abuse of power transactions to show that elected councillors had a “history of corruption and mismanagement”.

She told Parliament that Government could not rely on a flawed election system and this is why municipal council elections will not be held.

“For many decades elected municipal councils and governance arrangements have not worked,” she said.

“Years of pettiness, factionalism and lack of strategic focus and vision have left municipal councils in a poor state.

“It will take time to face this as it requires a paradigm shift.”

She said they would continue with their current reforms of municipal councils.

“My ministry will continue with the reforms to put a better system of governance in municipalities based on global best practices to ensure that ratepayers get better returns.

“We cannot rely on the flawed election system that was introduced in 1972. Without these reforms in place, we will undermine the progress that this Government has made when it comes to better servicing our municipalities.

“By calling for municipal election, the Opposition is actually calling for a return to corruption and inefficient development.

“We must not and we will not bend to this demand for the sake of political expediency.”