About 20 City Council members who want to abolish term limits held a secret strategy session near City Hall yesterday to plot the unveiling of legislation next week to prolong their political lives.
With the term-limits repeal movement shrouded in secrecy, it remains unclear if supporters can muster the 26 votes needed to pass the measure.
But they appear to be close.
The legislation – hotly opposed by council Speaker Peter Vallone (D-Queens) – has 22 sponsors listed on a draft version obtained by The Post. The measure will be introduced Wednesday.
Charging that term limits hurt minority legislators who are moving up the political ladder, the bill seeks to repeal the limits for council members. It would not affect the mayor, public advocate, comptroller or borough presidents.
Thirty-six of the 51 council members are being forced out of office this year by term limits.
“The impact of this forced exodus falls heavily on minority voters and the minority communities of the city whose representatives have gained seniority,” the bill says.
Vallone, who is running for mayor, has pledged to fight any move to zap term limits, which were first approved in a city referendum in 1993.
“This is a profoundly anti-democratic process,” said Vallone spokesman Jordan Barowitz. “The people have spoken on this issue.”
Mayor Giuliani indicated he is not supportive of nixing term limits, but has not vowed to veto it.