KOLLAM: Honey Benjamin of the CPI became the new Mayor of Kollam with the decisive vote of lone PDP member M Kamaludeen. Honey defeated UDF candidate Maya Ganesh by one vote.
This is the first time in the history of the Corporation that a CPI Councillor becomes the Mayor although the LDF had never let any other front to govern the Corporation since its formation in 2000.
The vote of Koottikkada ward Councillor and PDP member M Kamaludeen once again proved crucial as both the UDF and the LDF were evenly poised with 27 members each.
The Mayor’s post was vacant following the resignation of Prasanna Earnest two weeks ago to make way for a new Mayor nominated by the CPI as part of the agreement in the Left Front. When Kamaludeen attended the election proceedings, his demand was to get the chairmanship of the Tax Appeal Standing Committee from CPI leader Uliyakovil Sasi.