UDF Secures Complete Control Over Kochi Council Standing Committees
The ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) has achieved a clean sweep in Kochi. They won every single chairperson post for all standing committees in the city council. This decisive victory gives the UDF firm control over key municipal functions.
Congress Agrees to Term-Sharing Arrangement
Congress, a major constituent of the UDF, made an internal decision. They will share the chairperson positions. Each term will last for two-and-a-half years. However, one committee stands as an exception to this sharing plan.
The Public Works Committee, chaired by a representative from the Muslim League, will not be subject to this term-sharing agreement. It remains under continuous leadership.
Complete List of New Chairpersons
The newly elected chairpersons and their respective committees are now confirmed:
- Shakrutha Suresh Babu will lead the Development Committee.
- Antony Painuthara takes charge of the Welfare Committee.
- Seena Gokulan heads the Health Committee.
- T K Ashraf chairs the Public Works Committee.
- P M Naseema leads the Town Planning Committee.
- K A Manaf oversees the Tax Appeal Committee.
- Jismi Gerald is the chairperson for the Education Committee.
Opposition Parties Face Defeat in Contests
The Left Democratic Front (LDF) put up candidates for six of the standing committees. They contested vigorously but could not secure a win. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded candidates for only two committees: Education and Tax Appeal.
Notably, no election was necessary for the Finance Committee. The deputy mayor of the council automatically serves as its chairman, following established protocol.
Detailed Voting Outcomes in Each Committee
The election process began with the Development Committee. This committee has ten members. Shakrutha Suresh Babu received six votes, defeating LDF candidate Brijith. The sole BJP member in this committee chose to abstain from voting.
In the Welfare Standing Committee, Antony Painuthara also secured six votes. He won against LDF rival Shanthi. Here too, the BJP member abstained.
The Health Committee saw Seena Gokulan emerge victorious. She defeated LDF candidate Beena Mahesh.
For the Public Works Committee, T K Ashraf won against LDF's K J Basil.
P M Naseema claimed the Town Planning Committee chair. She defeated Nisha Joseph of the LDF.
The Tax Appeal Committee election had K A Manaf receiving six votes. BJP candidate Pravitha Vijayakumar garnered two votes.
Finally, in the Education Committee, Jismi Gerald won with five votes. LDF candidate Suhana Subair and BJP candidate Padmakumari each received two votes.
This series of elections solidifies the UDF's administrative hold in Kochi's local governance for the coming term.
