Diya Pulickakandam takes charge as Pala Municipality Chairperson; becomes country’s youngest civic body chief

Kottayam: Diya Pulickakandam, a 21-year-old independent councillor, has been elected as the Chairperson of the Pala Municipality in Kerala’s Kottayam district. With this victory, she has become the youngest Municipal Chairperson in the country. Diya secured the post with the support of the United Democratic Front (UDF), defeating senior opposition member Betty Shaju Thuruthel in the election.

Representing Ward 15, Diya won by securing 14 votes. Her victory comes after a week of intense political negotiations in the municipality, where neither the UDF nor the LDF could secure a majority without the support of three independent councillors from the Pulickakandam family. The family comprises Diya’s father, Binu Pulickakandam (Ward 14), his brother Biju Pulickakandam (Ward 13), and Diya herself.

The political deadlock was broken after the Pulickakandam family held a public assembly ("Janasabha") to consult with their voters. The majority of the voters suggested supporting the UDF, provided specific demands were met. Following successful discussions where the UDF agreed to the terms put forward by the family, the decision was made to back the front. Under the agreement, Diya will serve as Chairperson for the first term, while Congress rebel Maya Rahul will take the post of Vice Chairperson.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) had also attempted to court the independent bloc. Senior leaders, including Minister V.N. Vasavan and CPM District Secretary T.R. Raghunath, held direct talks with the family and offered to consider their demands, but these negotiations did not yield results.