Two young women steal the show in Pala municipal polls
KOTTAYAM: In the fiercely-contested Pala municipality election, two young women in their 20s have stolen the show, scripting stunning victories Riya Bino Cheeramkuzhy and Diya Binu Pulikkakandam. Riya, an offroader with a penchant for adventure, won Kaveekunnu ward (320 votes) on a Congress ticket, while Diya, an economics graduate, triumphed in Palampurayidom as an independent candidate (279 votes). On her victory, Riya, 24, said, I am delighted to have won in my first election. I will serve the people to the best of my ability. I have a lot of plans. Diya, 21, is equally delighted. I anticipated this victory and am thrilled with the outcome. I will do justice to my voters and will work for them for the next five years, Diya told TNIE . The two victories are indeed indicative of how todays youngsters are making a mark in the polls, more profoundly so at the local administrative level. Affirming this transition, Diya said that todays youth are more independent and that their political orientations transcend traditional political affiliations. We all share core values and beliefs. My political philosophy centres on the betterment of those around us. While I have my own political views, they are not tied to any particular party, she said. Riyas political debut also dismisses familial political affiliations. Biju Pulikkakandam, Diya Binu and Binu Pulikkakandam won seats in the election to Pala municipality. Her fathers brother once served as an LDF councilor in the Pala municipality. However, when approached by Congress members to run for election, the youngster not one to back down from a challenge saw it as a valuable opportunity and took it up earnestly. Riya inherits her passion for offroading from her father, Bino Jose. After having made a name on dirt tracks, she is now on her way to leave an imprint on Palas politics. With a hung council in Pala, it is likely that parties will seek the support of independents to gain an advantage. So, Diya, too, stands to become a chairperson with the support of either Front. Politically, Diya has an opportunity, said Binu Pulikkakandam, her father. We have not engaged in any discussions. We will take a decision thats beneficial to people. Interestingly, Binu and his brother Biju had also contested the election alongside Diya as an independent collective. They, too, won in their respective wards.
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