Uncertainty continues in Angamaly as UDF, LDF eye support of ‘independent bloc’

Uncertainty over who will rule Angamaly municipality continues with neither the United Democratic Front (UDF) nor the Left Democratic Front (LDF) securing a clear majority there.

The incumbent UDF has won 12 wards in the municipality, while the LDF clinched 13 seats. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has two seats, while four independents have emerged as a decisive bloc in the municipality with 30 wards.

The fractured mandate has forced both the major fronts to look for the support of the independents to capture power. The magic number to gain majority in the council is 16. In that case, the UDF requires the support of all the four independents while the LDF needs the backing of only three. Both the fronts, however, hope that the simple majority will be brought down to 15 with the two NDA representatives expected to stay away from voting.

The four independents who have emerged as winners this time are Wilson Mundadan, Varghese Vempliath, Luxy Joy and Bini Krishnankutty. Mr. Mundadan has won his fifth term as an independent councillor, while it is the second term for both Mr. Vempliath and Ms. Joy. Ms. Krishnankutty, an ASHA worker supported by Mr. Mundadan, has emerged as the winner in her maiden contest. They have made it clear that they will be taking a collective decision on which front to be supported.

The leaderships of both the UDF and LDF said they have initiated talks with the independents. “We have initiated talks and will continue with the attempts to come to power in the municipality,” Congress leader and Angamaly MLA Roji M. John said without going into the details of the parleys.

A CPI(M) district leader said the party leadership has also started consulting the independents. “We are yet to hear from them. We will accept only reasonable demands,” he said.

Local Congress leaders in Angamaly have exuded confidence of getting the support of all four independents, though they were not sure about the demands likely to be raised. Since the chairperson’s post is reserved for women, Ms. Joy is likely to stake claim for the position at least for a portion of the term, Congress sources revealed. Mr. Mundadan may ask for the vice chairperson’s post, the sources added. Both Mr. Mundadan and Ms. Joy, however, said they have not made any claims yet.

“We will take an appropriate decision at the right time considering all aspects, including the development of Angamaly and the overall political trend in view of the Assembly elections due in a few months,” one of the four independents said.