Kolencherry East of Poothrikka, Madaplathuruth East of Vadakkekara, and Puliyanam East of Parakkadavu will go to the polls on September 28.
The bypoll in Poothrikka was necessitated after Twenty20’s Pooja Jomon resigned as both panchayat president and a ward member in protest against the party’s decision to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Twenty20 lost power in the panchayat as Ms. Jomon was elected president in a draw of lots after Twenty20 and the United Democratic Front (UDF) were tied in seven seats each, while the Left Democratic Front (LDF) won two seats in the 16-member local body. Ms. Jomon’s resignation paved the way for UDF rule in the panchayat.
Twenty20, which won the seat by 49 votes last time, has this time fielded Deenamma Jacob, while Saramma Paili Pilla and Neethu Joyd are tipped to be the nominees of the UDF and LDF respectively. A win for the UDF could solidify its position in the local body, while a victory for Twenty20 could push the panchayat back to the tie, though it will not affect the UDF rule.
In Vadakkekara, the resignation of UDF member Sebin Puthenveettil, after he got a job abroad, has necessitated the bypoll. The LDF, which won 10 seats, is ruling the 21-seat panchayat, while the UDF secured nine and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) two seats in the elections last year. The bypoll outcome will have little impact on the power equation, though the LDF is looking to improve its tally.
The bypoll in Parakkadavu has also been necessitated following the immigration of the elected representative, the CPI(M)’s Raji Rajeev. The UDF has a clear lead with 10 seats in the 20-ward panchayat as against the LDF’s seven, NDA’s one, and two Independents. The candidates for both Vadakkekara and Parakkadavu bypolls are yet to be finalised.