The political stalemate over who would control the Alappuzha municipality was finally resolved on Monday. The crucial decision came from independent councillor Jose Chellappan, who won from the Mangalam ward, as he formally announced his support for the United Democratic Front (UDF).
Breaking the Deadlock: A Lone Independent's Decisive Role
In the 53-member municipal council, no single party had managed to secure a clear majority. The UDF held 23 seats, while the Left Democratic Front (LDF) had 22 members. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had five councillors, with one member each from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). This arithmetic made the stance of the lone independent, Jose Chellappan, absolutely critical for forming the ruling alliance.
Both the UDF and LDF had actively courted Chellappan's support. The independent councillor's decision was influenced by a ward-level friendship committee, formed during his election campaign. This committee insisted that any alliance must accept a concrete plan for the overall development of the municipality.
The UDF formally agreed to incorporate this development plan, leading to Chellappan's public declaration of support at a news conference on Monday. As a result, he will vote in favour of the UDF candidates during the elections for chairperson and vice-chairperson scheduled for December 26.
Power Sharing and Development Promises
As part of the agreement, since the chairperson's post is reserved for a woman, Jose Chellappan will be given the vice-chairman position for a full five-year term. However, this has sparked internal demands. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), which is part of the UDF and won four seats, has also staked a claim for the vice-chairperson's post. Reports suggest that if not granted the vice-chairperson role, the IUML is asking for the chairperson's position for one year and two permanent committee chairpersonships.
The municipal development plan that secured Chellappan's support focuses on several key infrastructure and civic projects:
- Completion of the EMS stadium to promote sports in the region.
- Implementing full CCTV coverage across all 53 wards to prevent crimes and eliminate littering.
- Holding grievance redressal meetings twice a month led by the chairperson and vice-chairperson to ensure timely public services and address personal issues.
- Expediting the completion of the Chathanad flat complex, a project started in 2017 under the LIFE mission.
- Pushing for a flyover at the Mangalam railway crossing as part of coastal highway development.
The Road Ahead for Alappuzha
With the political uncertainty now over, the UDF-led administration is poised to take charge after the December 26 elections. The focus will immediately shift to executing the agreed-upon development agenda. The promises of completing long-pending projects like the EMS stadium and the LIFE mission flats, along with new initiatives like city-wide CCTV surveillance, will be closely watched by the residents of Alappuzha.
The resolution demonstrates the significant influence that independent representatives can wield in hung councils, where their support becomes the key to power. All eyes will now be on the new council's ability to translate its development plan into tangible results for the municipality.
