UDF secures power in all six municipalities in Kottayam

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has staged a significant comeback in Kottayam district, securing power in all six municipalities.

In Pala, the Kerala Congress (M) was thrown out of power for the first time in the history of the municipality. The UDF came to power with the support of an Independent collective, which includes three members, and a Congress rebel.

Diya Binu Pulikkakandam was elected chairperson, becoming one of the youngest municipal chairpersons in India. In the 26-member council, she received 14 votes, defeating Betty Shaju of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front, who garnered 12 votes. In the vice-chairperson election, Congress rebel Maya Rahul defeated Biju Paloopadavan of the LDF by the same margin.

In the Kottayam municipality, senior Congress member M.P. Santhosh Kumar was elected chairman, while Sheeba Punnan of the Congress was elected vice-chairperson. Both received 32 votes in the 53-member council. Mr. Santhosh Kumar defeated C.N. Sathyanesan of the CPI(M), who received 15 votes, and T.N. Harikumar of the BJP, who received six votes. In the vice-chairperson election, Ms. Punnan defeated Sheeja Anil of the CPI(M) and Divya Sujith of the BJP.

In Ettumanur, Tomy Kuruvila Pulimanthundam of the Congress was elected chairman with 21 votes in the 36-member council. In the vice-chairperson election held in the afternoon, Congress member Pushpakumari won by securing the same number of votes.

In Erattupetta, V.P. Nazar of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Fathima Anzar of the Congress were elected as chairman and vice-chairperson respectively. Both of them won 16 votes in the 29-member council. Mr. Nazar defeated E.A. Savad (10 votes) of the LDF and Subair Vellappally (three votes) of the SDPI, while Ms. Fathima defeated Shajitha Veliyath of the LDF and Sajmi Sihas of the SDPI.

K.G. Abdul Salam Rawthar of the Congress was elected the chairman in the Vaikom municipality. In the 27-member council, Mr. Rawthar secured 13 votes, while D. Ranjith Kumar of the LDF received nine votes. Two of the three BJP members were present but abstained from voting. One did not turn up. Two Independents also abstained from voting.

In Changanassery, Congress member Jomy Joseph was elected chairman with the support of four Independent members. In the 37-member council, Mr. Joseph, who secured 16 votes, defeated A. Nazeer of the LDF, who got nine votes and N.P. Krishnakumar of the BJP, who received eight votes. Meanwhile, K.M. Nejiya of the Congress was elected as vice-chairperson in the election held in the afternoon with the same margin.