Ending the political uncertainty that had gripped the Pala municipality in Keralam for the past one-and-a-half months, Maya Rahul was elected chairperson of the civic body on Wednesday (August 19, 2026).

In the election, Ms. Rahul secured 16 votes, including votes of all the 12 Left Democratic Front (LDF) councillors, the three Congress rebels, and her own. Riya Bino Cheeramkuzhi, the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate, secured 10 votes.

Ms. Rahul, an Independent councillor representing Ward 19, had been functioning as acting chairperson since the removal of UDF-backed chairperson Diya Binu Pulikkandam through a no-confidence motion moved by the LDF. The motion, moved on July 21, 2026, was passed with the support of four Congress councillors and Ms. Rahul, who was the then vice-chairperson. The rebel Congress councillors had defied the party Whip which directed them not to participate in the discussion on the motion.

The move followed a rift within the UDF camp, with the Congress councillors and Ms. Rahul falling out with the three-member Independent collective representing the Pulikkandam family. The LDF subsequently sought to capitalise on the division and take control of the municipality.

In the meantime, one of the rebel Congress councillors, Lissikutty Mathew, returned to the UDF fold following differences over the candidature of Ms. Rahul.

Ms. Pulikkandam, a member of the three-member Independent collective, had gained recognition as the country’s youngest municipal chairperson. Her tenure, however, lasted only around six months.

The 26-member municipal council has 12 LDF councillors. The UDF had 14 members, comprising six Congress councillors, three Kerala Congress members, three members of the independent group, one member of the Kerala Democratic Party and Ms. Rahul who won as an Independent.

Meanwhile, the Kottayam District Congress Committee has moved a petition before the State Election Commission seeking the disqualification of the rebel Congress councillors, alleging violation of the anti-defection law.

Published - August 19, 2026 05:29 pm IST