In a resolution to a tense political standoff, Congress member Suma Tharian has been elected as the president of the Thiruvali grama panchayat in Kerala's Malappuram district. The election, held on Monday, also saw Muhammad Najeeb of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) elected to the vice-president's post, securing both key positions for the United Democratic Front (UDF) alliance.
A Dispute Delays Election
The election process for the leadership posts was originally scheduled for the past Saturday but faced an abrupt boycott. The stalemate stemmed from a significant disagreement within the UDF coalition over the sharing of the president's position. While the Congress, holding seven seats in the panchayat, argued that historical precedent should continue—referring to the UDF's only previous term where Congress led—the IUML, with four seats, demanded the president's post for a two-and-a-half-year period. This demand led to the initial boycott by both parties, stalling the election.
Senior Intervention and Monday's Vote
Following the deadlock, senior leaders from both the Congress and the IUML intervened to broker a settlement. The details of the internal agreement have not been fully disclosed, but it paved the way for the coalition to present a united front. On Monday, all 11 members of the UDF voted in favor of both Suma Tharian for president and Muhammad Najeeb for vice-president.
The UDF commands a majority in the 19-member Thiruvali panchayat, with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) holding the remaining eight seats. The UDF's consolidated vote ensured victory by a clear majority of three votes, marking a successful capture of the panchayat's top administrative roles.
Securing Power in Thiruvali
This victory is notable as it represents only the second time the UDF has come to power in the Thiruvali panchayat. The coalition's previous tenure was also led by the Congress, a fact the party emphasized during the negotiations. The resolution of the internal conflict and the subsequent unified voting demonstrate the alliance's effort to maintain stability and governance in the local body.
The election of Suma Tharian and Muhammad Najeeb concludes a period of uncertainty and sets the stage for the new administration to begin its work in Thiruvali. The focus now shifts to the panchayat's development agenda under the leadership of the UDF team.
