Local Body Election: UDF Faces Widespread Dissidence Across Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: The United Democratic Front (UDF) is grappling with extensive internal dissidence across all districts in the Kerala local body elections. More than five hundred dissident candidates have emerged in panchayats, municipalities, and corporations, with Ernakulam reporting the highest number of dissidents.

In Kannur, DCC member and former district panchayat member Sunny Mechery has entered the district panchayat’s Kottiyoor division as a dissident. Kannur Corporation itself has dissidents in 17 divisions.

In Idukki district’s Rajakkad panchayat, Ninth Ward Pazhayaviduthi, Muslim League district secretary Sudheer Kottakkudi is contesting independently against the official candidate. In Pathanamthitta municipality’s 16th ward, Youth Congress district secretary Bibin Baby, Congress mandalam president Renees Muhammed, and secretary Ashraf are contesting as candidates.

Thrissur Corporation has three former councillors contesting against the UDF’s official panel. Meanwhile, in Kochi Corporation, dissident candidates in 13 divisions have posed a serious challenge to the front. Among them are former Deputy Mayor K. R. Premakumar and councillors Bastin Babu and Malini Kurup.