Elections to the post of Chairman of the Standing Committee on Health and Education in Paivalike grama panchayat witnessed a political shock as Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Sumana G. Bhat secured victory over the Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate with the support of an IUML member.
In the poll held on Tuesday, Ms. Bhat got three votes while CPI(M) candidate Dineshwari Nagesh got two. The result hinged on the vote of Maimunathal Misirya, an IUML member from Kadenkodi ward, who voted for the BJP candidate.
Ms. Bhat was elected as the Chairperson of the Health and Education Standing Committee of Paivalike gram panchayat. Political observers said the result once again highlighted the strategic collaboration between the BJP and the UDF at the panchayat level.
A similar alignment was witnessed earlier during the standing committee member elections when four UDF members voted for the BJP. Observers noted that the understanding at the local level appeared to be aimed at keeping the CPI(M) out of key positions and administrative control.
Published – 13 Jan 2026 21:01 IST
