In the recently concluded local body elections in Kerala, Pala municipality in Kottayam district made a record after electing 21-year-old Diya Binu Pulikkakandam, a Gen Z leader, as its chairperson.
With her election, she became the youngest municipal chairperson in the country. The Pala municipal council has 26 members. The polls yielded a fractured verdict, with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) winning 12 seats, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) winning 10, and the remaining four went to independent candidates.
Diya secured 14 votes as an independent candidate to win the chairperson post, supported by UDF. His family played a decisive role.
Who is Diya?
Diya is a BA Economics graduate from Madras Christian College. She entered politics on her father's insistence. She secured victory by a margin of 131 votes.
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Diya comes from a strong political background as she is the daughter of former chairperson Binu Pulikkakandam. In the recently concluded elections, Diya, her father, and uncle Biju Pulikkakandam won three seats as independents.
The News Indian Express quoted Diya saying, "I understand this is a significant responsibility. I will strive for the progress and development of Pala municipality to the best of my abilities. I anticipate wholehearted support from all 25 of my fellow councillors. I will value their expertise and advice in leading the municipality.
In 2023, her father, Binu Pulikkakandam, was removed from the municipal chairperson post by Kerala Congress (M) chief Jose K Mani.
Binu was also humiliated by his party, the CPM-led LDF, by denying him the post that was promised to him. Diya's victory is largely seen as a sweet revenge for his father.
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Her rise to the top municipal position in Pala is seen as a political comeback for her family as she now heads the municipality with her father and uncle as councillors.
She also delivered a jolt to Jose Mani, whose Kerala Congress (M) is the third largest ally in the ruling LDF.