Ajitha Nandakumar and Suneela Sibi will take turns as chairpersons, each serving a two-and-a-half-year term in Maradu Municipality.
Congress councilors Jinson Peter and PP Santhosh will share the post of vice-chairman for a specified period. The decision was taken at the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting held on Sunday (December 21, 2025). It found that intra-party dynamics between factions in Congress led to a power-sharing arrangement for the posts of Speaker and Vice Speaker.
Due to his seniority, Mr. Peter may get a three-and-a-half-year term as vice-chairman, while Mr. Santhosh will hold the post for the rest of the term.
Mrs. Nandakumar will take over the office first. A high representative, she works on the political scene. In 2015, she worked for six months as the chairman of the municipality. In the years 2020 to 2023, she was also the chairman of the permanent work committee.
Ms. Sibi, who won from Ward 17 (Kundannoor), served as Speaker for around two years during the 2015-2020 term. Ms. Siby is currently the District President of the Mahila Congress and earlier its State General Secretary.
Focus on waste management
Speaker aspirant Ms. Nandakumar said the priority would be to ensure proper solid waste management in the municipality, noting that waste management is a relevant issue facing residents.
The United Democratic Front is sitting pretty in the council, winning 21 out of 35 seats. The Left Democratic Front won 11 seats, while the Independents won three.
Published – 23 Dec 2025 20:29 IST
