Kottayam (Keralam) | Rebel Congress councillor Maya Rahul was elected chairperson of Pala Municipality here on Wednesday, weeks after the civic body ousted the country's youngest municipal chairperson, Diya Binu.

Rahul, the candidate of the rebel Congress councillors-LDF alliance, defeated UDF nominee Riya Cheeramkuzhy in the chairperson election held here.

Maya Rahul secured 16 votes against 10 polled by Cheeramkuzhy.

The election marks a significant shift in the political equations in the 26-member municipality, where the UDF had been in power until recently.

Rahul was elected with the support of three rebel Congress councillors and the LDF. The new alliance, comprising the LDF and rebel Congress councillors, has been named the 'Nagaravikasana Munnani' (Urban Development Front).

The LDF has 12 members in the council -- 10 from Kerala Congress (M) and two from the CPI(M). With the support of four former Congress councillors, the new front has a strength of 16 in the council.

Pala Municipality had recently shot to national attention after Diya Binu became the country's youngest municipal chairperson.

She, however, lost the post last month after an LDF-backed no-confidence motion, supported by rebel Congress councillors, was passed, ending the UDF's rule in the civic body.

Meanwhile, Maya Rahul thanked the councillors and all those who supported her after being elected and said she would work with everyone for the development of the municipality and to address the needs of the people.

The Pala District Educational Officer (DEO) was the returning officer for Wednesday's election, which was conducted as per the prescribed procedures, official sources added.