In a series of dramatic political twists, the United Democratic Front (UDF) alliance managed to snatch control from the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in several local bodies across Kerala's Malabar region on Saturday. The outcomes were decided not by clear mandates but by last-minute vote changes, invalid ballots, and, in some cases, the sheer luck of a draw.
Vadakara: A Decisive 'Mistaken' Vote
The Vadakara block panchayat witnessed high-stakes drama. The 14-member body was perfectly split, with both the UDF-RMP alliance and the LDF holding seven wards each. This deadlock meant the president was to be chosen by a lucky draw, as per procedure.
However, a surprising turn occurred during the election itself. Reports indicate that one vote from the two RJD members, who were supporting the LDF, unexpectedly went to the UDF candidate. This single shift gave the UDF camp a total of eight votes, securing a majority. Interestingly, the member in question later claimed to have voted for the opposing candidate by mistake. This 'error' resulted in the UDF taking over the block panchayat, which was previously under LDF rule.
Muppainad: Invalid Vote Turns Tables
A similar story of fortune unfolded in the Muppainad Panchayat. Here, the LDF seemed to have a clear upper hand with nine seats against the UDF's eight. Victory for the Left front appeared certain, which would have ended the UDF's 25-year-long rule in the panchayat.
Fate, however, had other plans. During the presidential election, one crucial vote from the LDF side was declared invalid. This nullification brought both fronts to a tie, forcing the election to be decided by lottery. The draw favoured the UDF, leading to the election of UDF's CV Sudha as the new president, dashing LDF's hopes of a takeover.
Moodadi: Controversy Over Ballot Signature
The presidential election in Moodadi Panchayat in Wayanad descended into chaos and protests. The panchayat was evenly divided with 10 members each for LDF and UDF. The controversy erupted over the validity of a ballot cast by an LDF member.
The rules state that a voter must place a cross mark next to the candidate's name and then write their name and sign on the reverse side of the ballot paper, which carries the returning officer's seal and signature. The voter must then fold and deposit it.
In this instance, a member signed under the cross mark on the front instead of the back. The UDF argued the vote was invalid, while the LDF demanded a re-election. The disagreement led to protests by both sides at the panchayat office.
After consulting superiors, the election officer declared the vote valid. With the sides still tied at 10-10, a lucky draw was conducted, which the LDF won. Unhappy with this outcome, the UDF is now planning to approach the state election commission, demanding that their candidate be declared president.
Aftermath and Implications
These unusual events in three different panchayats highlight the razor-thin margins and intense competition that define local body politics in Kerala. They also underscore how procedural technicalities and momentary errors can significantly alter the political landscape at the grassroots level. While the UDF celebrates its unexpected gains in Vadakara and Muppainad, the battle for Moodadi is set to move to a higher legal forum, promising more political drama in the days ahead.
