BJP proposes panel of three names for Tripunithura chairperson’s post

The city district committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has submitted to the Kerala State leadership a list of three names – P.L. Babu, Radhika Varma, and Sreekuttan Thundathil – as potential candidates for the post of chairperson of Tripunithura municipality in Kerala which returned a hung verdict in the recent local body polls, with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) emerging as the single largest bloc.

The NDA is likely to assume control of the municipality after the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) publicly ruled out, at least for now, joining hands to keep the saffron party out of power. In the 53-member municipality, the NDA secured 21 seats, the LDF 20, and the UDF 12. This is the first time ever the BJP has emerged as the single largest party in a municipality in Ernakulam district.

For Mr. Babu, who won from the Valiyathara ward, this marks his second stint as councillor, while Ms. Varma, elected from the Ambalam ward, is a three-time councillor. Mr. Thundathil registered his maiden victory from the Pereekkadu ward this time after unsuccessfully contesting a decade ago. Mr. Babu currently serves as general secretary of the BJP central zone, Ms. Varma is a member of the BJP State Council, and Mr. Thundathil is general secretary of the party’s city district committee.

BJP sources said one of the three candidates would be elected chairperson, subject to the approval of the State leadership. Ms. Varma is being considered despite the post not being reserved for women, owing to her experience as a councillor.

LDF, UDF to field separate candidates

Both the LDF and the UDF have announced that they will field separate candidates in the election to the chairperson and deputy chairperson posts. The LDF has traditionally been a dominant force in Tripunithura since its formation in 1978 and had secured a simple majority in the last election as well.

The BJP’s growth in the temple town has been quite rapid. After opening its account in the municipality with a single seat in 2010, the tally rose to 13 five years later when it dislodged the UDF as the principal Opposition. In 2020, the party further improved its tally to 15 before adding two more seats in mid-term byelections.