The position of a United Democratic Front-backed Independent could prove decisive in shaping the leadership of the Shoranur municipality for the next five years.
Although the Left Democratic Front (LDF) emerged as the single largest bloc by winning 17 seats in Shoranur, it still falls one seat short of a majority.
P. Nirmala, the UDF-backed Independent who narrowly defeated LDF’s T.P. Rajani by 20 votes in the Manjakkad ward, is set to be the decisive factor. The LDF has already begun efforts to win her support.
With 17 seats, the LDF emerged as the frontrunner, while the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured second place with 12 seats. The UDF managed only five seats, in addition to Ms. Nirmala’s seat.
The LDF is concerned that if the UDF and NDA extend their support to Ms. Nirmala, it could be relegated to the opposition in Shoranur. Negotiations along these lines are already underway.
Ms. Nirmala said that she intended to contest for the chairperson’s post. She could secure the position if backed by the UDF and NDA in their bid to keep the LDF out of power.
The CPI(M) leadership is making a determined effort to thwart the UDF-NDA initiative by attempting to bring Ms. Nirmala back into the LDF fold. She had previously served as the CPI(M)’s standing council chairperson in Shoranur municipality during the LDF’s rule from 2015 to 2020.
CPI(M) district committee member M.R. Murali said that Ms. Nirmala would be free to collaborate with the party. He said that no alternative options were considered.
Published – December 15, 2025 08:33 pm IST
