P. Nirmala, a CPI(M) rebel, was elected chairperson of the Shoranur municipality on Friday. She won with 18 votes, including all 17 from the Left Democratic Front (LDF), which lacks a majority in the 34-seat council where 18 seats are needed to control the house. The BJP candidate Sini Manoj got 12 votes, and Congress candidate T. Seena secured five votes. Ms. Nirmala pushed for the post and forced the LDF’s support despite their slim position. She had earlier beaten CPI(M) candidate Rajani in ward 32 (Manjakad). In 2015, she served as standing committee chairperson under the CPI(M)-led council. After her election, CPI(M)’s V.K. Anuraj was chosen as vice chairperson. Elsewhere, UDF candidates won chairperson and vice chairperson posts in Pattambi, Chittur–Thathamangalam, and Cherpulassery. In Ottapalam, CPI(M)’s M.K. Jayasudha was elected chairperson unopposed as neither UDF nor BJP nominated candidates for the Scheduled Caste-reserved post. CPI(M)’s K. Rajesh became vice chairperson there.