Sheela Charu, a Congress party councillor, who shifted allegiance to the Left Democratic Front (LDF) about a month ago, was elected the chairperson of Thrikkakara municipality on Tuesday. She defeated Ajitha Thankappan of the United Democratic Front (UDF), 22 to 21 votes, in the 43-member council. K.T. Eldho of the CPI(M) was elected vice chairman.
The two leaders took office immediately after the elections in the afternoon.
While Ms. Charu’s election went off smoothly, there was difference of opinion in the UDF camp with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) fielding its own candidate against the UDF candidate. E.A. Majeed from the Congress party, representing the UDF, bagged 16 votes while P.M. Yousuf of the IUML bagged five votes, including that of outgoing vice chairman Sabu Francis, sources said. Mr. Francis won a seat to the municipal council contesting as an Independent after the Congress party had denied him a ticket during the elections to the local bodies.