In a significant political arrangement, the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kochi has brokered a unique power-sharing formula for the leadership of the Maradu municipality. The alliance has decided to split the five-year term of the chairperson post between two elected councillors, with each serving for a period of two-and-a-half years.
The Committee's Decision and Key Appointments
The crucial decision was finalized by a committee appointed by the District Congress Committee (DCC), which held its meeting on Sunday. As per the agreement, councillors Ajitha Nandakumar and Sunila Sibi will take turns at the helm of the municipal council. Nandakumar is set to assume office first, followed by Sibi after the initial half-term.
This model of shared leadership is not limited to the top post. Sources within the Congress party confirmed that the vice-chairperson position will also be divided similarly. Jinson Peter and P P Santhosh are slated to serve as vice-chairperson for two-and-a-half years each during the council's tenure.
Nandakumar's Experience and Council's Top Priorities
Ajitha Nandakumar, who is poised to take charge first, brings considerable experience to the role. She first entered local governance as a councillor back in 2005, when Maradu was still a panchayat. Her leadership credentials include serving as chairperson during the 2015-16 period. Furthermore, she made history as the first vice-chairperson of the municipality from 2010 to 2015, following its upgrade from a panchayat in November 2010.
Outlining the immediate agenda, Nandakumar stated that the new council would give top priority to two pressing civic issues: waste management and addressing water scarcity within the municipality. The administration plans to actively pursue a proposal for establishing a waste treatment facility. The identified location is a 50-cent plot near the Nettoor market, a project earlier promised by the district collector.
A Strong Financial Legacy and Future Roadmap
The incoming council is set to inherit a robust financial position, as highlighted by the outgoing chairperson, Antony Ashanparambil. He stated that the municipality is being handed over with a healthy surplus. The local body currently holds a substantial Rs 33.5 crore in its bank accounts.
Ashanparambil credited this financial stability to the efficient utilization of government grants and funds received from various agencies. He expressed confidence that this significant surplus would empower the new council to continue development projects without any financial interruptions, providing a solid foundation for their planned initiatives in waste management and water supply.
This power-sharing pact marks a strategic move by the UDF to ensure stability and inclusive leadership in the Maradu municipality for its full five-year term, backed by a strong fiscal cushion.
