Power equation in Pala tilts towards Congress rebels

Amidst heightened expectations of a new political alignment taking shape in Pala, the balance of power in the municipality is tilting further towards the Congress rebels, who have reached a consensus to field incumbent vice-chairperson Maya Rahul for the chairperson’s post.

Ms. Rahul, an independent councillor aligned with the rebel group, is most likely to win with the backing of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the election scheduled for August 19. The election was necessitated by the removal of UDF-backed chairperson Diya Binu Pulikkakandam through a no-confidence motion moved by the LDF on July 2, with the support of four Congress councillors and Ms. Rahul. Since then, Ms. Rahul has been functioning as acting chairperson of the civic body, while the rebels and the LDF have effectively operated as a 17-member bloc in the 26-member council.