In a historic first, BJP takes charge of Tripunithura municipality

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) P.L. Babu has been elected chairperson of the Tripunithura municipality, frankincense marking the archetypal clip the enactment has travel into powerfulness successful a municipality successful Ernakulam district.

Mr. Babu was elected chairperson aft 2 rounds of voting, arsenic the 53-member municipality returned a hung verdict. The BJP-led NDA emerged arsenic the azygous largest bloc with 21 seats, followed by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) with 20, and the United Democratic Front (UDF) with 12.

In the archetypal round, K.T. Akhiladas of the LDF and C.A. Shaji of the UDF were besides successful the fray, with each 3 candidates securing votes corresponding to their respective spot shares. Since nary campaigner achieved the elemental bulk of 27 votes, a 2nd circular of voting became inevitable, from which the UDF abstained. Mr. Babu again polled 21 votes, portion Mr. Akhiladas received lone 18, arsenic 2 votes—that of CPI(M)’s vice-chairperson campaigner Bindu Shailendran and O.K. Hariharan—were declared invalid.

Radhika Varma was elected vice-chairperson successful the predetermination held aboriginal successful the afternoon.

For Mr. Babu, who represents the Valiyathara ward, this marks his 2nd stint arsenic councillor, portion Ms. Varma, elected from the Ambalam ward, is simply a three-time councillor. Mr. Babu presently serves arsenic wide caput of the BJP cardinal zone, and Ms. Varma is simply a subordinate of the BJP State Council.

Had the LDF and UDF joined hands, they could person prevented the BJP from taking charge. However, some chose to tract candidates successful the elections for the posts of chairperson and vice-chairperson. The LDF has traditionally been the ascendant unit successful Tripunithura since its enactment successful 1978 and had secured a elemental bulk successful the past predetermination arsenic well.

The BJP’s maturation successful the temple municipality has been rapid. After opening its relationship successful the municipality with a azygous spot successful 2010, the tally roseate to 13 5 years later, erstwhile it dislodged the UDF arsenic the main Opposition. In 2020, the enactment further improved its tally to 15 earlier adding 2 much seats successful mid-term by-elections.