BJP Becomes Main Opposition in Malappuram’s Tanur Municipality; CPM Fails to Win Seats
MALAPPURAM: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the principal opposition in Tanur Municipality, securing a significant 8 seats. Notably, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPM] failed to win even a single seat under its own party symbol in the recent elections. Only four independent candidates, who received support from the Left Democratic Front (LDF), managed to secure victories.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) successfully retained its power in the 45-seat municipality, garnering 31 seats. While the Muslim League, a prominent UDF ally, saw a slight reduction from its previous tally of 28 to 27 seats, the Indian National Congress managed to increase its representation from three to four seats.
Tanur Municipality holds increased political significance due to several factors. It falls within the constituency of Minister Abdurahiman, and it is the sole local self-government institution in the entire Malappuram district where the BJP has attained the status of the main opposition party.
**History of Tanur**
Since its formation as a panchayat in 1964, Tanur has historically been a stronghold of the Muslim League. The region, characterized by a substantial population of fishing and middle-class laborers, was elevated to municipality status in 2015. In the inaugural 44-member municipal council, the seat distribution was as follows: Muslim League with 30 councillors, Congress with two, BJP with 10, and the LDF with two. In the 2020 elections, while the Muslim League’s seats reduced by two, the Congress gained one, the BJP secured seven, and the LDF won six seats.
**NDA’s Progress in Malappuram**
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has demonstrated notable progress across Malappuram district, securing a total of 34 wards in various municipalities and panchayats. This achievement includes a ward won by an NDA-backed independent candidate in Nilambur Municipality. The alliance successfully captured 18 municipal seats and 16 gram panchayat wards. In a significant upset, the NDA managed to secure five wards in Edappal Panchayat, surprising both the leading political fronts. A key highlight of their performance was the retention of most of their sitting wards.
Beyond Tanur and Edappal, the BJP also achieved victories in other local bodies. They won three seats in Parappanangadi Municipality, two seats each in Kottakkal and Ponnani Municipalities, and one seat each in Manjeri, Nilambur, and Tirur Municipalities. The BJP’s presence also extended to gram panchayats, securing seats in Edappal, Moorkkanad, Angadippuram, Chelembra, Cherukav, Chungathara, Nannammukku, Ozhur, Peruvallur, Talakkad, and Vallikkunnu.