K Chandrika sworn in as new city Mayor

That the LDF was treading extra-cautiously could be read from the fact that the District Committee of the CPM had given a special class to its councillors as to the voting procedures on Tuesday morning. But even that could not save a CPM vote from crossing the line during the voting to the Deputy Mayor post. Chackai councillor Shanthini cast her vote for UDF’s Harikumar and not for LDF’s Happykumar. Maybe, she got confused between the names, but the official version was that the councillor had felt dizzy during the time of voting, resulting in the error.

In the morning, during the voting to the Mayor post, the UDF also had a taste of such an error. It happened when Kalady councillor Krishnankutty made a mistake by putting his signature at the wrong place. The UDF had also specifically warned its fresh councillors to be careful with the voting.

Of the two independent candidates, Manikyavilakom councillor Sureshkumar abstained from voting, while Sreekariyam councillor Vijayakumar cast invalid votes both the time.

As the Council met in the morning for electing the Mayor, the meeting was chaired by District Collector Sanjay Kaul. The name of K Chandrika was suggested by J Chandra and seconded by Happykumar. BJP fielded its candidate Sheeja Madhu to the Mayor post. While her name was suggested by BJP councillor M R Gopan, it was seconded by Palkulangara councillor Ashok Kumar. The UDF suggested Leelamma Issac to the post which was done by Mujeeb Rahman and seconded by Kumari Padmanabhan.

While 99 councillors out of the total 100 cast their votes, Chandrika received 51 votes, Leelamma 40 votes and Sheeja her full quota of six votes. Chandrika was administered the oath by Sanjay Kaul.

In the election to the Deputy Mayor post, Happykumar received 50 votes, UDF’s Harikumar 42 and BJP’s M R Rajiv six votes.

The election to the Standing Committee posts would be held on November 19.