Kottayam: Pala's politics, long dominated by the Kerala Congress and its factions, saw a shift this time as former CPM councillor Binu Pulickakandam, who was denied the municipal chairperson post, won as an independent along with two members of his family. Binu, his brother Biju Pulickakandam, and Binu's daughter Diya Pulickakandam won from wards 13, 14, and 15 of the Pala Municipality, respectively. All three were supported by the Congress.

A councillor from Pala for more than 20 years, Binu has won elections on multiple symbols- once as a BJP candidate, once as a CPM candidate, and twice as an independent. In the outgoing council, he was the lone CPM councillor. He was later expelled from the party following disputes with the Kerala Congress (M).

Of the 26 seats in the Pala municipality, the LDF has secured 11. However, the Kerala Congress (M) accounted for 10 of those seats, with the CPM managing just one. Last election too, the tally was the same for both parties. 

The UDF has won 10 seats, with the Indian National Congress securing six wards. The Kerala Congress won three seats, while KDP, another UDF ally, emerged victorious in ward 23. The Kerala Congress repeated its previous performance, having won only three seats in the last election as well.

If the independents extend support to the UDF, the front will have the backing of 13 councillors, and could secure rule from the ruling LDF. 

Meanwhile, 24-year-old Congress candidate Riya Bino, a schoolteacher and off-roading champion, won from ward 8 of the municipality.