CPI(M)’s S.B. Raju elected Palakkad district panchayat president
S.B. Raju of the CPI(M) has been elected as the president of the Palakkad district panchayat. He succeeds T.M. Shashi and has pledged to work across party lines for the district's development.
Why it matters
This election marks a change in local governance leadership in the Palakkad district, impacting regional administrative priorities.
S.B. Raju of the Communist Party of India [CPI(M)] was elected Palakkad district panchayat president on Wednesday (July 29, 2026). He succeeded T.M. Shashi, who vacated the post after being elected as an MLA from Alathur.
The president election was conducted with 29 of the 31 district panchayat members casting their votes. The Pallassana division seat remains vacant as a by-election has not yet been held following Mr. Shashi’s election to the Assembly.
A member representing the Ambalappara division abstained from voting saying family compulsions as a reason.
Mr. Raju secured 17 votes, while United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate T.K. Sunil, a Congress member representing the Kappur division, received 12 votes.
District Collector K. Sudheer served as the returning officer for the election.
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