Suspense is mounting ahead of the Wednesday (September 16, 2026) vice‑chairperson election in Pala municipality, Keralam, as the ruling alliance has yet to agree on a candidate and the council’s numbers are too close for comfort.
The Nagara Vikasana Munnani (NVM), an alliance of Left Democratic Front (LDF) councillors and rebel Congress members, holds 12 LDF seats and four rebel Congress seats in the 26‑member council. The NVM’s inability to settle on a consensus candidate has opened a window for the United Democratic Front (UDF), which is intensifying efforts to win the post while the LDF considers fielding its own candidate.
LDF parliamentary party leader Biju Palupadavan is the likely nominee, reportedly backed by chairperson Maya Rahul. If the four rebel Congress councillors split, Palupadavan could secure 13 votes with Rahul’s support. The UDF is preparing to field Congress councillor Riya Cheerankuzhy and is working to regain the support of rebel Congress members, including those suspended for violating the party whip.
Congress leaders are also attempting to bring three additional rebel councillors back into the fold. Should they succeed, the LDF and UDF would each hold 13 votes, potentially forcing a tie and a draw of lots. However, differences within the alliance over power sharing and the possibility of abstentions add further uncertainty to the outcome.
