Pala goes Pulikkakandam way; 21-year-old Diya creates history

PALA: Pulikkakandam family’s political stand ensured that Pala municipality administration favour UDF after four decades. The youngest member of the Pulikkakandam family, Diya (21), made history by becoming the youngest chairperson in the country. Another independent member, Maya, is the vice chairperson.

This is the first time in the history of Pala that a member from Hindu community has become chairperson. Pala, the fortress that remained loyal to late politician K.M. Mani for half a century, now going with UDF serves as a reality check to Kerala Congress (M).

Betty Shaju of Kerala Congress M was the chairperson candidate from the opposition. Betty got 12 votes, and Diya got 14 votes. The UDF, which had only 10 seats, got into power with the support of Diya, her father Binu, uncle Biju and Congress rebel Maya.

Diya debuted in politics while preparing for her MBA after completing her B.A. in Economics from Madras Christian College. She is the granddaughter of Pulikakandamthil P.V. Sukumaran Nair, who was the vice president of Kerala Congress (M) Pala constituency for 40 years. Diya’s father Binu has been a Pala municipal councillor for 25 years. Although he won the CPM seat last time, Binu was expelled from the party following differences of opinion with Jose K. Mani. Diya’s mother is Kshema. Her sister is Shreya, a Plus One student.

“I thank God. I will work as much as I can for the good of the country. The chariperson post coming my way is a poetic justice,” - Diya Pulikkakandam.