LDF Chairman for Pathanamthitta Municipality

Pathanamthitta, Mar 27 (UNI) T Zakir Hussain of CPI (M) was today elected as the new Chairman of the Pathanamthitta Municipality after he secured 14 votes out of the 27 polled.

He defeated his rival candidate P Mohanraj, District Congress Committee (DCC) President and former Municipality Chairman, who could garner only 13 votes.

The LDF managed to get elected its Chairman candidate this time with the support of Councillors Rosamma Kuriakose(KC-J) and S Andhya Santhosh (Ind), who earlier deserted the LDF and voted for the UDF twice.

Rosamma Kuriakose did not attend the council meeting today while Sandhya Santhosh voted in favour of Zakir Hussain.

The lone BJP Councillor Ambili Rajendran was present at the Council meeting but abstained from voting.

Today's election was necessitated by the unexpected resignation of P Mohanraj from the post of Chairman as he won the election held on February 22 last with the support of BJP Councillor.

In the 29-member Municipal Council, K R Ajithkumar of Congress, who also availed of the BJP support still continues as Vice-Chairman.

Elaborate security arrangements had been made as per High Court directive.

UNI