Diya Binu ousted; UDF suffers setback in Pala Municipality as LDF no-confidence motion passes

KOTTAYAM: The United Democratic Front (UDF) suffered a major setback in Pala Municipality after a no-confidence motion moved by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) was passed, bringing an end to the UDF's rule in the civic body. A total of 17 councillors voted in favour of the no-confidence motion.

Congress councillors who defied the party whip and independent member Maya Rahul, who won as a rebel candidate, supported the LDF's no-confidence motion. The Congress councillors who attended the meeting despite the whip were Lissy Kutty Mathew, Biju Mathews, Tony Thaiparambil and Rajitha Prakash.

The rift in the ruling front of Pala Municipality emerged after Congress councillors and independent vice-chairperson Maya Rahul fell out with the independent group led by Municipal Chairperson Diya Binu. Taking advantage of the situation, the opposition LDF moved the no-confidence motion.

Following the passing of the motion, Diya Binu Pulikkakandam lost her position as the chairperson of Pala Municipality. The UDF had been holding power in the municipality with a narrow one-member majority. The municipality has 26 seats, and a minimum of 14 councillors was required to secure a simple majority.