5th president for Munnar panchayat in four years

The newly elected Munnar grama panchayat president M. Manimozhi with the UDF members.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The political drama gripping the Munnar grama panchayat continues unabated, with the election of its 5th president in just four years.

In the latest development, Congress member M. Manimozhi emerged victorious in the presidential election held at the panchayat office hall, securing 11 votes, while Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate Jyothi Satheesh Kumar received eight.

The election was necessitated following the resignation of former president Deepa Rajkumar. Although Ms. Rajkumar initially submitted her resignation to the panchayat secretary on February 29, she soon retracted, alleging coercion. Within two hours, she submitted a second letter, claiming that her resignation was made under duress and that the signature had been forged by Congress workers. The panchayat secretary forwarded both the letters to the State Election Commission, which allowed her to continue in office, although temporarily.

Subsequently, Congress members moved a no-confidence motion, ultimately forcing Ms. Rajkumar to step down. With Ms. Manimozhi’s election, the panchayat now has its 5th president of the current term. For Manimozhi, it is her second stint in the role.

21 seats in all

The messy leadership trail reflects the broader instability within the panchayat ever since the 2020 local body elections, when the United Democratic Front (UDF) secured a majority by winning 11 out of 21 seats. However, in January 2022, two UDF members, Praveena Ravikumar and M. Rajendran, defected to the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and caused a tip in the balance of power. Ms. Ravikumar became president and Mr. Rajendran vice-president, bringing the panchayat under the control of the LDF.

This was followed by a series of defections. In August 2022, Thankamudy, a member of the Communist Party of India (CPI), joined the UDF and in February 2023, V. Balachandran, a Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] member, followed suit. The UDF, sensing an opportunity, called for a confidence vote. But just before the vote, the panchayat secretary received Mr. Rajendran’s resignation letter. Later, however, Mr. Rajendran alleged that his signature was forged. The Election Commission temporarily allowed him to retain his position while the matter was under review.

Disqualified

The saga reached another turning point in October 2023, when the State Election Commission officially disqualified Ms. Ravikumar and Mr. Rajendran for switching parties. The UDF seized the opportunity in 2024, calling a successful no-confidence vote and securing the vice-president post for V. Balachandran.

Six months later, in February 2024, another confidence motion saw the UDF officially reclaiming control of the panchayat. Deepa Rajkumar was appointed president, only to step down shortly after under controversial circumstances.