Amid political turmoil, Congress opens door for KC(M) in KM Mani Hospital panel

Amid growing speculation of the Congress exploring a tacit understanding with the Kerala Congress (M) (KC(M)) to ease political pressure from the independent collective in Pala, the United Democratic Front (UDF)-led city council has decided to induct a KC(M) member into the newly constituted Hospital Management Committee (HMC) of the KM Mani Memorial Government General Hospital.

The move ends months of uncertainty over the reconstitution of the HMC hospital named after the KC(M) patriarch. The first meeting of the newly established committee is scheduled for July 3.

So far, the council has insisted that the KC(M) cannot be accommodated in the HMC as the party has no representation in the State Legislature. Although KC(M) district president Lopez Mathew submitted two separate applications for the inclusion of the party’s candidate nearly four months ago, the council left the matter for deliberation.

As the Congress and the KC(M) now seem to have reached an understanding, the council is expected to approve the induction of Baiju Kollamparambila as the KC(M) representative in its next meeting. He will be included in the category of nominated representatives of recognized political parties.

No explanation

Interestingly, while both the Congress and KC(M) leaders insist that representation of a recognized regional party in the HMC is mandatory, the UDF has not offered any explanation as to why the matter has remained unresolved for nearly four months.

Apart from Mr. Kollamparambil, KC(M) councilor Biji Jojo is already a member of the HMC in the capacity of ward councillor. The party has now staked another berth among the three vacancies reserved for nominated social workers.

“Since these three positions have to be filled by a unanimous decision of the 26-member city council, the UDF will require the support of KC(M) members to proceed effectively. Hence, the UDF leadership as well as independent collective members will have no option but to accept the KC(M) demand as independent member Binu Pulikkandam wants to join the HMC through this category,” he noted.

Congress officials say Mr. Pulikkakandam’s bid to join the HMC is driven by his desire to play a more active role in the administration led by his daughter, Municipal Chairperson Diya Pulikkakandam, who has limited administrative experience.

The long delay in the reconstitution of the HMC fueled allegations that the exercise was deliberately put on hold until Mr. Pulikkakandam took over as the municipal vice-chairman. But a deepening rift between Congress and the independent collective overturned those plans. With Vice-Chairman Maya Rahul postponing her resignation, the much-anticipated entry of Mr Pulikkakandam into HMC has been pushed further.

Published – 27 Jun 2026 23:24 IST