5 months ago
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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retained power of the Palakkad municipality for a 3rd consecutive word connected Friday arsenic its chairperson campaigner P. Smithesh defeated nominees of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF).
Mr. Smithesh was elected municipal chairperson with 25 votes, portion UDF campaigner Shajo John secured 19. In the archetypal circular of the election, LDF campaigner Radhakrishnan received 10 votes, including 1 from Independent councillor Rasheed, a UDF rebel.
The LDF’s 9 councillors boycotted the last circular of the election. The BJP’s T. Baby was elected vice-chairperson, securing 25 votes, portion UDF campaigner Rizwana received 18. Independent subordinate Rasheed voted for the UDF campaigner successful the last round.
Late arrival
However, UDF councillor Prasobh was not allowed to ballot arsenic helium arrived precocious for polling. BJP councillors protested erstwhile helium arrived successful the assembly hall, pursuing which the returning serviceman asked him to permission the hall.
The BJP has 25 members successful the 53-member municipal council, portion the UDF has 18 and the LDF nine. In 2015, the enactment secured 24 seats successful the 52-member council. It accrued its tally to 28 successful 2020. However, the BJP fell 2 seats abbreviated of a bulk this time. Nevertheless, arsenic the enactment with the largest fig of councillors, it volition proceed to regularisation the municipality.
No LDF-UDF tie-up
Although determination were discussions betwixt the UDF and the LDF astir joining hands to dislodge the BJP from power, the connection did not materialise arsenic the State leaderships of some fronts were not successful favour of it.
Chairperson P. Smithesh and vice-chairperson T. Baby were sworn successful pursuing the elections. Several BJP leaders, including enactment State vice-president C. Krishnakumar and Palakkad East territory president Prasanth Sivan, attended the function.
