Congress ladies in race for district panchayat president post

KOCHI: As the general sentiment is in favour of a second term for the UDF in the district panchayat, many women leaders are in the race for coveted president's post. For this term, district panchayat will have a woman president.

Though current vice-president Bindu George has hinted at her willingness, senior member Valsa Kochu Kunju, chairperson of welfare standing committee, and another councillor Asha Sanil are also likely in the fray.

Meanwhile, district panchayat president Adv. Eldhose Kunnappally has made it clear that he is not keen on contesting this time adding that a final decision will come from the party.

“Most of the divisions in eastern parts of the district which are the sitting seats of senior women councillors have become general positions. This time, the women reservation wards are mostly in the western areas,” he said.

“Unlike the city corporation, it is not easy for members to migrate to other wards which will hit the prospects of many senior women members.”

After the term of P.S. Shaila, during the 2005 – 2010 LDF council, this is the second turn of a female president for the district panchayat.

The election is crucial for both fronts as the Congress-led UDF wants to retain power while the LDF wants to regain the prestigious body.

While the UDF is piggybacking on a series of development projects initiated under Mr Kunnappilly, the Left knows that it has to work harder if it needed to regain its lost position.

During the 2010 elections, the UDF had a thumping victory, leaving only three of the 26 seats to the LDF — Kottuvally, Moothakunnam and Piravom.