Archive · 22 Jul 2026
India's youngest municipal chairperson unseated in Pala
Diya Binu Pulikkakandam, who was the youngest municipal chairperson in India at just 21 years old, was voted out of her position in Pala Municipality.
This happened because a no-confidence motion was passed unanimously by 17 councillors, including some from her own party who went against the party's orders.
The main opposition party, LDF, took advantage of the disagreements within the ruling UDF and successfully removed Diya Binu from her position.
Diya Binu accepted the decision and said she would continue to serve as a councillor.
She also mentioned that no serious allegations were made against her during her time in office.
The Kottayam District Congress Committee removed four Congress councillors from the party's primary membership for voting in favor of the no-confidence motion.
Diya Binu Pulikkakandam, 21, was India's youngest municipal chairperson in Pala Municipality.
A no-confidence motion was passed unanimously by 17 councillors, including rebel Congress members and LDF.
The UDF administration lost control of the municipality due to internal rifts.
Four Congress councillors defied the party whip and voted with the opposition.
Diya Binu accepted the verdict and vowed to continue serving as a councillor.
- Who
- Diya Binu Pulikkakandam, 21-year-old municipal chairperson
- What
- Unseated by a no-confidence motion in Pala Municipality
- When
- Tuesday
- Where
- Pala Municipality, Kottayam
- Why
- Deepening internal rift within the Congress and UDF, leading to a no-confidence motion
UDF and Congress Supporters
LDF and Rebel Congress Councillors
Support for Diya Binu
UDF and Congress Supporters
Supported Diya Binu's leadership and the UDF administration.
LDF and Rebel Congress Councillors
Opposed Diya Binu's leadership and moved the no-confidence motion.
Party Whip Compliance
UDF and Congress Supporters
Expected Congress councillors to follow the party whip and support the UDF administration.
LDF and Rebel Congress Councillors
Defied the party whip and voted in favor of the no-confidence motion.
- Diya Binu Pulikkakandam
- 21-year-old, India's youngest municipal chairperson
- Pala Municipality
- Location of the political crisis
- No-Confidence Motion
- Passed unanimously by 17 councillors
- UDF Administration
- Lost control of the municipality
- Congress Councillors
- Four defied the party whip and voted with the opposition
- LDF
- Moved the no-confidence motion
- Maya Rahul
- Vice chairperson who voted in favor of the motion
- Kottayam District Congress Committee
- Removed four Congress councillors from primary membership
