Maya Rahul elected chairperson of Pala municipality in Keralam as LDF and Congress rebels join hands
Maya Rahul has been elected as the chairperson of the Pala municipality in Kerala following a coalition between the LDF and Congress rebels. This election ends a period of political uncertainty that lasted over a month.
Why it matters
The election highlights the volatile nature of local municipal politics and the impact of shifting party alliances on local governance.
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.
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