Congress captures Ramankary gram panchayat from CPM after 27 years

ALAPPUZHA : The Ramankary gram panchayat administration, which had been monopolized by the CPM for 27 years, has been captured by the Congress with the support of a section of the CPM. CPM lost the administration due to sectarianism.

R. Rajumon of Congress won as President and Sheena Rejappan as Vice President by winning eight votes to four in yesterday's election.

Four CPM members supported the Congress. After the defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the loss of Ramankary Panchayat administration was a major blow to the CPM in the district. R Rajumon from Congress and Sajeev Uthunthara from CPM were the candidates in the presidential election. Congress' Sheena Rejappan and CPM's Ramya Haridas contested in the vice-presidential election.

CPM President R. Rajendra Kumar and Vice President Kunjumol Sivadas were expelled when four CPM members supported the UDF's no-confidence motion on 14th of last month. The CPM members who supported the UDF then also voted in favour of the Congress yesterday.

Rajendra Kumar resigned from the Panchayat membership and joined the CPI after being removed from the post of President. Currently, the LDF has 8 members (all CPM) and the UDF has 4 members in the 12-member Panchayat Samiti. The by-election will be held in the 13th ward where Rajendra Kumar resigned.

Sectarianism intensified in Kuttanad with the CPM district conference. Around 300 people, including two area committee members, 19 local committee members and DYFI leaders, joined the CPI in August.

Sajeev Uthunthara, who unsuccessfully contested for the post of President, said that it was spread that CPM members were given whips before the election but they were not. The Panchayat Secretary also stated that the copy of the whip was not given.