Deadlock among rebel Congress leaders opens door for KC(M) in Pala municipality

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A bitter tussle within the rebel Congress camp over the Pala municipal vice-chairperson’s post has opened the door for the Kerala Congress (M) to step in, potentially reshaping the power equation in the council just days before the September 16 election.

The rebel Congress councillors, whose alliance with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) helped wrest control of the municipality, have failed to reach a consensus despite multiple rounds of discussions. At their latest meeting on Friday, councillors Biju Mathews and Tony Thaiparambil remained firm on their respective claims, leaving the Nagara Vikasana Munnani alliance facing a fresh power-sharing dispute.

The 26-member council currently gives the LDF and rebel Congress councillors a clear majority, with 12 LDF councillors and four Congress rebels. The KC(M)-led LDF had earlier made it clear that it would not seek any position and had left the vice-chairperson’s post to the rebel Congress camp. The failure of the rebels to reach a consensus, however, has prompted the alliance to reconsider that understanding.

According to KC(M) sources, the deadlock has strengthened the possibility of the KC(M) staking a claim to the post, with party parliamentary party leader Biju Paluppadavan likely to be fielded if the party decides to enter the arrangement. “Councillors Tony Thaiparampil and Biju Mathews have staked their claims to the vice-chairperson post and it is hoped that they will reach a consensus soon. If they cannot reach an agreement, discussions will be held within the coalition and a consensus candidate will be decided,” said a KC(M) leader.

Such a move could also give the LDF a firmer grip on the municipal council and mark its return to power in Pala after a brief interval. With chairperson Maya Rahul being an Independent councillor, the council would effectively become LDF-led if the KC(M) joins the ruling arrangement, he added.

The rebel Congress councillors, meanwhile, remain hopeful that the KC(M) will not stake a claim, pointing to the political fallout such a move could trigger. They note that the party had already publicly declared that it would not seek any post while supporting the rebels.

“If the KC(M) changes its stance, it will affect its credibility. It could also hurt the party’s longer-term plan of returning to the UDF, as it may create an impression that the party deceived Congress councillors to grab power,” said a rebel councillor.

The positions of chairperson Ms. Rahul and the KC(M) leadership are likely to be crucial in determining the final candidate. Neither has disclosed their position so far. LDF sources said discussions would continue to arrive at a consensus before Wednesday’s election.

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