When the decision in Chellanam, a coastal panchayat ravaged by sea incursion in Ernakulam district, was declared within the final native physique elections, it promised a brand new daybreak in individuals’s democracy.
Eight Impartial candidates who contested beneath the collective banner of Chellanam Twenty20 on the plank of corruption-free governance emerged victorious, making them the second-largest bloc within the 21-member panchayat. 5 years later, because the native physique elections strategy once more, that dream lies in tatters.
Merging with Twenty20
Two of its members, KL Joseph and Mary Simla, defected to the Left Democratic Entrance (LDF) and ended their phrases as president and vice-president respectively. The remainder of the collective disintegrated, dropping its identification and finally merging with the Kizhakkambalam-based Twenty20 backed by the Kitex Group.
Issues seemed promising at first when the collective, shaped initially as a WhatsApp group to coordinate volunteer work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, stayed true to its said philosophy and kept away from the election for chairperson, refusing to align with both of the political fronts. Because the 4 members of the United Democratic Entrance (UDF) additionally abstained, KD Prasad and VA Margaret of the LDF had been elected president and vice-president respectively.
No-confidence movement
Later, a case difficult the victory of a UDF candidate was adjudicated in favor of Chellanam Twenty20’s Mary Simla. This raised the outfit’s tally to 9, equal to that of the LDF, whereas the UDF was additional lowered to a few. Subsequently, Chellanam Twenty20 and the UDF joined fingers to dislodge Mr. Prasad and Ms. Margaret by a no-confidence movement. Mr. Joseph and UDF’s Anila Sebastine had been sworn in as their replacements.
Quickly after, the LDF efficiently moved a no-confidence movement in opposition to Mr. Joseph. This introduced again Mr. Prasad again as chairperson. Six months later, even because the UDF ready to maneuver one other no-confidence movement in opposition to Mr. Prasad with Chellanam Twenty20’s help, the LDF sprang a shock by wooing Mr. Joseph and Ms. Simla into its fold and making them president and vice-president.
Abandoning the political morality and ethics that they had professed throughout the election, the outfit was left faceless and finally subsumed into the Kizhakkambalam-based Twenty20. Whereas Twenty20 supremo Sabu M. Jacob desires his outfit to contest all 22 wards — one ward added following delimitation — that prospect seems unlikely.
Revealed – November 16, 2025 10:35 am IST