Overview
- A no-confidence motion carried on Tuesday, July 21 removed chairperson Diya Binu after 17 councillors voted in favour, ending the UDF-led administration in the 26-member Pala municipal council.
- The 17 votes included all LDF members, four Congress councillors who defied the party whip, and Independent vice-chairperson Maya Rahul, while other Congress and allied councillors abstained as directed.
- The Kottayam District Congress Committee expelled the four rebel councillors for breaking the whip and announced steps to seek their disqualification from the council.
- Diya Binu, who became the nation’s youngest municipal chair at 21, accepted the democratic verdict and denied any corruption or illegal conduct as reasons for her ouster.
- Months of bitter infighting, public complaints to police and failed mediation had paralysed civic work, and the new vacuum has opened negotiations over outside support from Kerala Congress (M) and a possible reformed local majority.