The three-time councillor representing the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Bindu Haridas has assumed charge as chairperson of Varkala municipality, which the Left Democratic Front (LDF) captured by winning 18 out of total 33 wards.
The UDF bagged 10 seats, the BJP three, and Independents, two in the civic body polls. Her party colleague S. Anijoe was sworn-in vice chairman after elections to the posts held at a special council meeting on Wednesday.
Bindu Haridas first entered the electoral fray in 2000 in a by-election following the death of her father.
In the by-election to the ward, Bindu won the seat by a huge margin. She represents Purunkulam ward and Anijoe represents Ramanthali ward in the present council. In the elections to the post of chairperson and vice chairman, the LDF received the support of Salim, who won in Vallakadavu ward as Independent.
The UDF had fielded S. Jayashree for the post of chairperson and V. Shahjahan for the post of vice chairman. The BJP fielded Priya Gopan for chairperson post and Swapna Sekhar for vice chairman post.
