Hung verdict delays finalisation of key posts in Eloor municipality

The hung verdict in Eloor municipality has impacted the finalisation of candidates for the posts of chairperson and deputy chairperson.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF), which had won 15 seats in the 32-member civic body, is expected to announce its probables for the post of chairperson and deputy chairperson on Wednesday (December 24, 2025).

The tentative list for the post of chairpersons includes Tisha Venu and Laiji Sajeevan of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]. The Communist Party of India (CPI) has staked a claim for the chairperson post, and its shortlisted candidates are Jayasree Sathish and Leela Babu, according to party sources. The LDF is hopeful of making it through in the final lap, though it is short of a majority in the council by virtue of being the single largest front.

The United Democratic Front (UDF), which won 12 seats, is unlikely to field its candidates in the election to the posts of chairperson and deputy chairperson. The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has issued clear instructions that the Congress need not try to seek the support of either the LDF or the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the wake of a hung verdict. A senior former councillor pointed out that the front would prefer to remain as a strong Opposition instead of going for such an unholy alliance.

The NDA, which won five seats, is likely to finalise its strategy on Wednesday. “The local leadership of the BJP in Eloor is awaiting a direction from the party on the way forward. It is expected to be conveyed to us on Wednesday,” said a BJP functionary in Eloor.