Vice-chairperson post sparks fresh rift among Congress rebels in Pala

Vice-chairperson post sparks fresh rift among Congress rebels in Pala, with tensions rising over internal divisions as the municipal council prepares for elections. The dispute comes amid ongoing political maneuvering following the removal of UDF-backed chairperson Diya Binu Pulikkakandam via a no-confidence motion on July 2, supported by four Congress councillors and Maya Rahul. With the election of a new chairperson fast approaching, efforts by dissident Congress members to form alliances with the opposition have stalled due to disagreements over the vice-chairperson's role. Efforts to unify the dissident Congress group have encountered obstacles, particularly concerning the vice-chairperson’s post. A segment of the dissenting councillors insisted on reaching an agreement regarding this position before moving forward. This led to the preparation of a letter intended for submission to the Kerala Congress (M), which leads the opposition bloc. However, some of the other dissident Congress councillors refused to endorse the letter, highlighting internal discord. Previously, the Congress rebels had agreed to nominate the current vice-chairperson, Maya Rahul, for the chairperson’s position. According to sources within the rebel group, one of the dissident Congress councillors, Lissikutty Mathew, has shown a willingness to return to the United Democratic Front, while Biju Mathews is reportedly considering doing so as well, following disputes over the vice-chairperson’s post. Both the chairperson and vice-chairperson positions are critical, prompting a portion of the dissident Congress group to insist on achieving clarity on both roles before proceeding further. Discussions have reportedly taken place with the Kerala Congress as part of these efforts. There was initially consideration of Biju Mathews for the vice-chairperson’s post. However, the situation shifted dramatically after the Kerala Congress faction asserted its claim to the position. Within the rebel group, there is currently no consensus on whether to accept this demand in exchange for their backing in the chairperson election, according to reports. Meanwhile, the District Congress Committee is advancing with its plan to pursue the disqualification of the four dissident councillors. A senior Congress leader stated that a petition requesting their disqualification would be filed on Monday. Even if a few of the rebel Congress councillors decide to return to the Congress, the combined LDF-UDF bloc is unlikely to face an imminent challenge in the chairperson election, given its substantial majority of 15 seats in the 26-member council. Since the removal of Diya Binu Pulikkakandam, Maya Rahul has been serving as the interim chairperson of the civic body, while the UDF rebels and the LDF continue to operate as a unified bloc. The upcoming elections are set against a backdrop of shifting allegiances and internal conflicts within the Congress party, reflecting broader political dynamics in the region.