While the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is celebrating the sweeping victory of the United Democratic Front (UDF) across the district in the civic body elections, the results in Ponmundam panchayat are disappointing for the party.
In Ponmundam, the IUML went head-to-head against the alliance of Congress, CPI(M) and several other parties. The contest turned out to be disastrous for IUML, with several of its key candidates losing to the formidable Janakeeya Munnani. And the party lost the panchayat to the Congress-CPI(M) after many years.
Janakeeya Munnani wrested control of the panchayat from IUML by winning 13 out of 18 seats, while IUML managed to secure four seats and its ally, the Welfare Party of India took one.
Neither the UDF nor the Left Democratic Front (LDF) contested in Ponmundam. The battle was essentially between the IUML and a coalition of other parties. However, the Election Commission mentioned the UDF for the IUML.
The Congress leadership dissolved its panchayat committee in Ponmundam after failing to reach an agreement with the IUML in the panchayat. However, neither the Congress nor the IUML can be blamed for the stalemate, as it was a long-term stalemate.
While the Ponmundam panchayat elections in 2010, 2015 and 2020 saw a triangular contest between the Congress, IUML and the LDF, this time it was a straight fight between the IUML and the Congress-CPI(M) alliance.
The IUML leaders admitted that they did their best to resist the strong wave generated by Janakeeya Munnani, but ultimately failed. As a result, the Congress secured 10 seats while the CPI(M) secured three.
“We did not anticipate such a defeat. Several of our key leaders were not seated and it was particularly disheartening to lose a ward where we were confident of victory,” said Kundil Hajara, outgoing president of Ponmundam panchayat.
Published – 14 Dec 2025 20:38 IST
