The ruling party of Kerala was forced to replace its councillor Binu Pulikkakandam, who was considered for the post of chairperson of Pala.
Published Jan 19, 2023 | 5:56 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 19, 2023 | 5:56 PM
A view of Pala town. (Creative Commons)
The ruling party of Kerala, the CPI(M), on Thursday, 19 January, was forced to replace its councillor Binu Pulikkakandam, who was considered for the post of chairperson of Pala Municipality in Kottayam, following stiff opposition and protest by its LDF coalition partner Kerala Congress (M).
As Pulikkakandam, the only councillor who had won from the Pala Municipality on the CPI(M) symbol in the last civic body polls, was excluded after several rounds of talks, Josin Bino, a party-backed independent member, was made the candidate and won the key post.
Both parties have been sharing power in the 26-member municipality, where the KC(M) has 10 members, the CPI(M) has six and the CPI has one member.
The Marxist party reportedly yielded to the adamant stand taken by the KC(M) against choosing Pulikkakandam as chairperson as it alleged that he attacked one of its councillors during the 2021 Assembly polls inside the Municipality complex.
The CPI(M) had to give in to the pressure, even ignoring the strong objection raised by its local leadership, to avoid further strain on political ties with the KC(M), party sources said.
The controversy erupted recently after Anto Jose Padinjarekkara of the KC(M) tendered his resignation as chairperson and the Marxist party was all set to create history by taking over the chairmanship of the Pala Municipality for the first time in its history.
Pulickakandam, who openly expressed his displeasure against the KC(M), said it was a “political betrayal” but asserted he was accepting his party’s decision.
“I came to the council with a good majority. It was the day of betrayal by a political party. I am a victim of intolerance of that party… Time will give a befitting reply to all these,” he said during the Council meeting after the chairman election.
He also said he would soon send an open letter to KC(M) supremo Jose K Mani on the matter.
Though the sharp differences that cropped up between the two LDF partners had made headlines earlier, CPI(M) district secretary AV Russel and KC(M)’s Padinjarekkara had rubbished the reports.
After severing its over-three-decade-long ties with the Congress-led UDF, the Jose K Mani faction of the Kerala Congress (M) joined the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF in 2020.
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