UDF hands over chairperson position to IUML in Thodupuzha municipality

Following an internal dispute within the Congress over the selection of the municipal chairperson, the United Democratic Front (UDF) has handed over the position to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in Thodupuzha.

According to sources, the decision followed a deepening tussle among the 10 Congress councillors. The Congress has 10 councillors and eight for the IUML in the municipality. On Friday, the UDF announced Sabira Jaleel of the IUML as its chairperson nominee. During the municipal election, Ms. Jaleel secured the seat with 22 votes. Her opponents Sreeja Rajesh of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and Kavitha Aji of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) received nine and six votes respectively. Two Independent councillors supported the UDF, while one Independent abstained from voting.

Under the new UDF power-sharing agreement, Ms. Jaleel will serve as the chairperson for the next two years. The Kerala Congress (Joseph) faction will then hold the post for one year, followed by a Congress councillor for the final two years.

On the election day on Friday, the rift deepened within the Congress. During its parliamentary party meeting on the same day, UDF block president Shibli Sahib announced that Litty Joseph wouldbe the future Congress chairperson in the upcoming term, andeven collected councillors’ signatures to formalise the decision. However, District Congress Committee (DCC) president C.P. Mathew objected anddirected that the minutes be corrected.

To file plaint

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) general secretary and Congress councillor Nisha Soman, who was the party’s initial candidate for the post, stated that she would file a formal complaint with the State committee. Ms. Soman alleged that the block president was pursuing a personal agenda.

While the UDF holds a strong majority with 19 seats (including one Independent support) in the 35-member council, internal divisions prevented the party from reaching a consensus on a candidate from its own ranks.

The crisis became highly visible when posters appeared throughout Thodupuzha town, purportedly from “Congress workers,” criticising the leadership and demanding a chairperson who would not act as a “rubber stamp.” 

To resolve the issue temporarily, the UDF invoked a previously discussed “oral deal” to allow the IUML to lead the council for the initial term.

In the Kattappana municipality, UDF nominee Joy Vettikkuzhi was selected as the municipal chairperson. Mr. Vettikkuzhi received 20 votes, while LDF candidate V.R. Saji received 13 votes. Two National Democratic Alliance councillors abstained from voting.