BJP wins standing committee post with IUML support in Paivalike grama panchayat

The election to the Health and Education Standing Committee chairperson post in the Paivalike grama panchayat witnessed a political upheaval, with Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Sumana G. Bhat securing victory over the Communist Party of India (Marxist) nominee with the support of an IUML member.

In the voting held on Tuesday, Ms. Bhat polled three votes, while CPI(M) candidate Dineshwari Nagesh got two. The result hinged on the vote of Maimunathal Misirya, an IUML member from the Kadenkodi ward, who voted in favour of the BJP candidate.

Ms. Bhat was elected chairperson of the Health and Education Standing Committee of the Paivalike gram panchayat. Political observers said the outcome once again highlighted strategic cooperation between the BJP and the UDF at the panchayat level.

A similar alignment was witnessed earlier during the election of standing committee members, when four UDF members voted for the BJP. Observers noted that the local-level understanding appeared aimed at keeping the CPI(M) out of key positions and administrative control.