Late twist in Pala: Maya Rahul demands chairperson post, Pulikkakandam family not yielding either

KOTTAYAM: Maya Rahul, who won as an independent, is demanding the chairperson position in return for support to the UDF in Pala Municipality. However, Binu Pulikkakandam, another independent who won the election, demanded that his daughter be made the chairperson. Binu's daughter Diya and brother Biju had also won as independents. The decision of the independents is crucial in Pala Municipality, where no party has an absolute majority.

No UDF candidates were fielded in the three wards where Binu and his family members contested. Despite supporting Binu in the elections, the Congress is now confused over the tough demands put forward by the independents.

The UDF secured ten seats in the Pala Municipality. The LDF has 12 seats, including one independent. The fronts are negotiating deals with independents to wrest power.

Binu Pulikkakandam, the former leader of the Mani faction of the Kerala Congress, was expelled following his diatribe at the party's chairman, Jose K Mani. Binu started criticising Jose K Mani when he won as a CPM representative last time. This resulted in a rift within the party and also gained a fair share of controversy. Last time, the LDF won in 17 wards in Pala Municipality.