Cong.’s Reetha Paul is Angamaly municipal chairperson; Sangeetha K.S. in Perumbavoor

The Congress’s Reetha Paul, who represents the Mullassery ward, became the chairperson of Angamaly municipality after four Independent councillors supported the United Democratic Front (UDF). Ms. Paul, who won her sixth term as councillor, received 16 votes. Gracy Devassy of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) got 13 votes, while the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which has two councillors, abstained from voting. Independent councillor Wilson Mundadan, who won his fifth term and is supporting the UDF, was elected deputy chairperson with 16 votes. Biju Poulose of the LDF won 13 votes. As per the agreement within the UDF, Ms. Paul will be on the chair for the first two years. She has to leave the post for Independent councillor Luxy Joy for the next two years. The Congress will decide the chairperson for the remaining year. While Mr. Mundadan will be deputy chairperson for the first three years, another Independent councillor Varghese Vempliath has been promised the post for the remaining two years. Aluva Saiji Jolly Third-time Congress councillor Saiji Jolly was elected chairperson of Aluva municipality. She received 16 votes as against the LDF’s Mini Baiju who got six votes. Sreelatha Radhakrishnan of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gained four votes. Ms. Jolly, who represents the Nazreth ward, was deputy chairperson in the previous council. The Congress’ Fazil Hussain was elected deputy chairperson. Representing the Market ward, Mr. Hussain received 16 votes as against the LDF’s Hijaz P.M. who polled six votes. The BJP’s Rajani Sreekanth got four votes. Mr. Hussain is also in his third term as a councillor. Perumbavoor Sangeetha K.S. In Perumbavoor municipality, which pushed the UDF into marathon talks to decide the heads due to conflicting interests within the local leadership, first-time Congress councillor Sangeetha K.S. was elected chairperson. Ms. Sangeetha, representing the Pooppany ward, polled 16 votes, defeating the CPI(M)’s Aji C. Panicker who won 11 votes. Congress councillor and former chairperson Biju John Jacob was elected deputy chairperson. He defeated the CPI(M)’s Rejimon K.P. Mr. Jacob won 15 votes as Congress councillor Jessy Agi could not be present for the voting reportedly due to a health emergency. Mr. Rejimon won 11 votes. The NDA, which has two members, abstained from voting. The chairperson’s post will be shared by Ms. Sangeetha and Annie Martin, a second-term councillor, in equal terms of 2.5 years. The post of deputy chairperson will be shared by Mr. Jacob and Shaji Kunnathan. The IUML has been promised the post for the last one and a half years. North Paravur Ramesh D. Kurup In North Paravur municipality, the Congress’ Ramesh D. Kurup and Laiji Biju have been elected the chairperson and deputy chairperson, respectively, winning 15 votes each. The LDF’s C.A. Rajeev and the BJP’s Asha Murali, who contested for the post of chairperson, had to settle for 12 and three votes, respectively. Ms. Biju defeated the LDF’s Soorya Arun (12 votes) and the BJP’s Elizabeth Santy (three votes). Muvattupuzha Joice Mary Antony Second-term councillor Joice Mary Antony was elected chairperson...

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