Battle for Pala municipality in Kerala intensifies as UDF fields candidate - The HinduPublished - August 12, 2026 07:41 pm IST - KOTTAYAMAmid competing claims over who truly represents the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Pala, the battle for control of the civic body has intensified, with the Congress-led alliance deciding to field a candidate against the UDF rebels in the upcoming chairperson election.The UDF parliamentary party has decided to authorise the district leadership to name its candidate for the August 19 chairperson election. Twenty-four-year-old Congress councillor Riya Cheeramkuzhy, who earlier shot into the spotlight as an off-road racer, is tipped to be the coalition’s choice, while senior Congress leader Sebastian J. Panackal is likely to contest for the vice-chairperson’s post.“Both names are under active consideration, though no final decision has been made. A formal announcement is expected from the district leadership within the next few days,” said a Congress leader.On the other side, independent councillor Maya Rahul has emerged as the frontrunner among the names under consideration. Currently serving as the acting chairperson, she enjoys the backing of the LDF and the rebel bloc and is widely expected to retain the post.The 26-member council comprises 12 LDF members, 10 UDF members and four independents. The LDF has 10 councillors from the Kerala Congress (M) and two from the CPI(M), while the UDF had six Congress councillors, three from the Kerala Congress (Joseph) and one from the Kerala Democratic Party led by Mani C. Kappan. However, with five UDF councillors having broken ranks and aligned with the opposition, the LDF-rebel combine now has the backing of 17 councillors.While the immediate prize of this raging battle is the chairperson’s post, the bigger battle appears to be over who gets to claim the UDF mantle. The rebels insist they represent the `real UDF’ in the municipality, while the Congress-led camp is seeking to reclaim that space.The present crisis is the fallout of an alliance that once brought the UDF to power. The UDF had formed the council with the support of a three-member Independent Collective led by the Pulikkakandam family and Ms. Rahul. The arrangement began to unravel after differences emerged between the Independent Collective and Congress councillors.The rupture eventually culminated in a no-confidence motion against UDF-backed chairperson Diya Binu Pulikkakandam on July 2. Four Congress councillors and Ms. Rahul backed the motion moved by the LDF, which brought down the chairperson.Ms. Rahul has since been functioning as acting chairperson, with the rebel councillors and the LDF effectively calling the shots.Published - August 12, 2026 07:41 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }