Kottayam: Municipal chairperson Diya Binu Pulickakandam has alleged that Congress councillor Biju Mathews stole her expensive watch and some official files, a charge that has plunged the United Democratic Front (UDF) administration in Pala municipality into a major crisis. The UDF currently holds office in the municipality only with the backing of three independent councillors from the Pulickakandam family. As an early sign of rift, all three quit the UDF's official WhatsApp group on Wednesday.
Background of the Dispute
The trouble began last Friday with a dispute among UDF members in the council over relocating the autorickshaw stand inside the Kottaramattom bus stand in Pala town. On Monday, Mathews filed a police complaint, accusing the chairperson's father, Binu Pulickakandam, and his brother Biju Pulickakandam of assaulting him. On Tuesday, Diya filed a police complaint alleging that her watch had gone missing. In her complaint, Diya alleged that when three police personnel reached the council office, acting on Mathews's complaint, she was not present at that time. Police, along with Mathews, got her chamber unlocked to inspect the files related to the autorickshaw stand, she alleged.
Political Implications
Pala is considered a stronghold of Kerala Congress (Mani), and Congress functionaries, including V D Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala, had intervened earlier to secure the municipality under UDF with support from the independent councillors. If the crisis is not resolved soon, it will require another round of direct intervention by the same functionaries. A failure to do so could inflict a significant political setback for the UDF.
Efforts to Defuse Tensions
Senior functionaries are now trying to defuse tensions through talks. The Pulickakandam family has also decided to meet Satheesan and Chennithala to present their grievances. If no settlement is reached, the UDF risks losing control of the municipality.
