--- title: "Power play in Pala ahead of chairperson election" url: https://projectchintan.com/article/pala-chairperson-election-power-struggle-jlvws publisher: Project Chintan author: Project Chintan Newsroom section: Politics published: 2026-08-17T14:02:28.750Z modified: 2026-08-17T16:00:06.235Z language: en-IN --- # Power play in Pala ahead of chairperson election With the chairperson vote in Pala due on August 19, 2026, the contest has intensified as alliances shift. The Save Congress Forum and LDF seek to shape the outcome against a UDF-backed candidate, amid revolts and realignments within the council. ## Key takeaways - Diya Pulikkakandam was ousted as chairperson after a trust vote on July 21, 2026, triggering the current contest for the post. - The chairperson election is set for August 19, 2026, with Maya Rahul as the LDF-backed candidate and the Save Congress Forum fielding its own candidate. - Lissykutty Mathew returned to the Congress, signaling ongoing realignments within the council ahead of the vote. ## What Happened The contest for the chairperson’s post in Pala municipality has entered its final phase ahead of the scheduled vote on August 19, 2026. Previously, a UDF-backed chairperson, Diya Pulikkakandam, was ousted following a trust vote on July 21, 2026. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) is backing acting chairperson Maya Rahul, placing her in a strong position. A group called the Save Congress Forum, comprising former Congress councillors expelled for defying party whip, has announced it will field Rahul as its candidate. The UDF is expected to announce its candidate on August 18, 2026. Meanwhile, one rebel councillor, Lissykutty Mathew, returned to the Congress fold, arguing she cannot vote for a candidate backed by the LDF. Reports indicate a disagreement among Save Congress Forum members over who should hold the vice-chairperson’s post, with some seeking to share it between forum members. There is also speculation that the LDF may seek a claim to that position, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the vote. In the council, 26 members are present: the LDF controls 12 seats (10 from the Kerala Congress (M) and 2 from the CPI(M)). The Save Congress Forum has four members, while the UDF holds 10 seats (including two from the Congress, three from Kerala Congress (Joseph), one from the Kerala Democratic Party led by Mani C. Kappen, and three members from the Independent Collective aligned with the Pulikkakandam family). ## Why It Matters The chairperson election in Pala is shaping as a test of the coalition dynamics between the LDF and UDF, with the Save Congress Forum holding voting leverage through its four seats and the potential for shifts from rebels like Mathew. The outcome could influence which bloc controls chair and vice-chair roles, affecting governance in the municipality and the distribution of leadership posts among coalition partners and defectors. Strategic realignments ahead of the vote highlight the fragility of cross-party understandings within a chamber where a small number of seats can swing leadership outcomes. The tension over the vice-chairperson post suggests that even with a preferred chairperson candidate, post-election allocations could still be contested. ## Background Pala municipality has seen leadership changes following the ouster of the UDF-backed chairperson, with the current acting chairperson aligned with the LDF. The Save Congress Forum consists of former Congress members who were expelled for defying party discipline. The council dynamics feature coalitions and potential redistributions as parties seek to optimize leadership positions ahead of the vote. ## Key Facts - Trust vote ousted UDF-backed chairperson Diya Pulikkakandam on July 21, 2026. - The chairperson election is scheduled for August 19, 2026. - The Save Congress Forum intends to field Maya Rahul as its candidate for chairperson. - The UDF is expected to announce its candidate on August 18, 2026. - Lissykutty Mathew, a rebel councillor, returned to the Congress fold ahead of the vote. - In the 26-member council: LDF holds 12 seats (10 Kerala Congress (M), 2 CPI(M)); Save Congress Forum has 4; UDF has 10 (including 2 Congress, 3 Kerala Congress (Joseph), 1 Kerala Democratic Party, 3 Independent Collective). ## What Happens Next The chairperson election proceeds on August 19, 2026, with the possibility of post-election negotiations affecting the vice-chairperson’s post and coalition arrangements. Parties and factions are expected to push their preferred candidate and post-sharing deals, potentially altering the balance of leadership within the municipality depending on the vote. --- Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/pala-chairperson-election-power-struggle-jlvws Reported from: Multiple Sources