PALAKKAD: The CPM rebels had their way in the Ottapalam and Shoranur municipalities and in the Kannadi grama panchayat where the CPM has lost power.
Shoranur municipality
In the 33-member Shoranur municipality, M R Murali of the Janakeeya Vikasana Samithi (JVS) was elected chairman by defeating LDF candidate Krishnadas by a majority of four votes in the election held to the top post of the municipality on Monday. Eight councillors each of the JVS and the Congress voted for M R Murali. An Independent, representing the SDPI, also cast his vote in favour of Murali.
While M R Murali secured 17 votes, Krishnadas of the LDF got only 13 votes.
The BJP candidate, Rugmini got three votes. In the elections held to the post of vice-chairperson, T Seena of the Congress defeated LDF candidate Savithri. Seena got 17 votes, Savithri got 13 votes and Bindu of the BJP, 3 votes. The Shoranur municipality had been ruled by the LDF for the last 30 years.
Ottappalam municipality
In the 36-member Ottappalam municipality, Rani Jose of the Congress became the chairpairson by defeating LDF candidate Subaida. While the UDF candidate secured 17 votes, the LDF candidate got 15. The six CPM rebels voted for the Congress candidate. The votes of the three BJP councillors and an Independent were declared invalid.
P M A Jaleel of the Congress was elected the vice-chairman.
The LDF had been ruling the Ottapalam Municipality since its formation on April 1,1990.
Kannadi grama panchayat
In the Kannadi grama panchayat, Poura Munnani candidate Kalavathi was elected president securing 8 votes while P V Seenamol of the LDF secured 7 votes.
The CPM rebels, the Congress and the BJP sympathisers had formed the Poura Munnani.