The political backlash over a failed attempt to topple City Council chairwoman Barbara Marshall intensified yesterday and claimed Councilman Charles Djou as the latest casualty.

Djou announced his resignation from chairmanship of the council's zoning committee after Marshall told him she intended to install Councilman Rod Tam in his place. Djou remains a council member.

Marshall said she may soon announce additional changes, but noted that Djou had yet to formally notify her of his move.

The impending shuffle comes a week after Marshall removed council members Donovan Dela Cruz and Ann Kobayashi from the transportation committee.

They had been attempting to organize a five-member bloc to oust Marshall and otherwise restructure the council.

Djou had appeared at a press conference with Dela Cruz and Kobayashi to support them immediately after their removal.

Marshall gave no reasons for wanting Djou off the zoning committee, but acknowledged frustration with the power struggles.

"There are people who have been very supportive of my chairmanship, and there have also been people working very hard against it," she said. "I like having support around me."

Dela Cruz charged yesterday that Marshall had become "obsessed with petty politics," and Kobayashi called Djou's removal "a travesty."

Djou — perhaps the council's most outspoken member — said he believed Marshall viewed him as a "loose cannon" she could not control. He vowed to remain an independent voice.

"This is a power play, pure and simple ... because I'm hard-pressed to think of a legitimate issue we've disagreed on," he said.

Marshall and Djou both oppose Mayor Mufi Hannemann's plan for a mass transit system, one of the most important issues the council is grappling with.

Dela Cruz, who generally backs the transit plan but has clashed with Hannemann over some details, led the nine-member council until January, when a bloc more closely aligned with the mayor elevated Marshall.

Dela Cruz and Kobayashi have worked to regain control. They and Councilman Romy Cachola formed a loose alliance with Djou and were seeking a crucial fifth vote to form a majority.

Reach Johnny Brannon at jbrannon@honoluluadvertiser.com.