Tue Dec 16 20:09:22 UTC 2025: Summary:

Following their victory in the recent local body elections and retention of control over the Maradu municipality, the United Democratic Front (UDF) is currently in the process of selecting nominees for the chairperson and vice-chairperson positions. Ajita Nandakumar and Suneela Siby are the leading candidates for the chairperson position, which is reserved for women this term. Jinson Peter is a strong contender for the vice-chairperson role. No final decision has been made yet, according to the District Congress Committee president.

News Article:

UDF Scrambles to Name Leaders After Maradu Victory

KOCHI – The United Democratic Front (UDF) is in high gear after securing a victory in the recent local body elections, retaining control of the Maradu municipality. Attention has now turned to the selection of the municipality’s next leaders, with intense speculation surrounding the coveted positions of chairperson and vice-chairperson.

Two prominent councilors, Ajita Nandakumar and Suneela Siby, have emerged as frontrunners for the chairperson role. Ms. Nandakumar, a seasoned politician with experience dating back before Maradu’s municipalization, previously served as chairperson in 2015 and headed the works standing committee from 2020 to 2023. Ms. Siby, representing Ward 17 (Kundannoor), also boasts a term as municipal chairperson, spanning two and a half years. She currently serves as the district president of the Mahila Congress. The chairperson position this term is reserved for women.

The vice-chairperson position is also drawing considerable interest, with Jinson Peter, the Maradu block president of the Congress, cited as a leading candidate. Mr. Peter previously served as the education standing committee chairman from 2010 to 2015 and as a councilor from 2015 to 2020, securing a win in the recent election from Ward 18 (Moothedam).

Despite the buzz surrounding the potential nominees, Muhammed Shiyas, the District Congress Committee president, stated that no official decision has yet been made regarding the chairperson’s appointment. The selection process is expected to continue in the coming days, with the UDF aiming to announce their leadership team soon.

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