Seven Kerala Panchayat Wards Go to Bypolls After Members Quit for Jobs

Seven grama panchayat wards in Kerala are headed for bypolls after their elected representatives resigned, most of them to take up jobs. The vacancies are among 38 local body wards across the State where polling is scheduled for September 28.

Of the seven members who stepped down, two have gone abroad and three have taken up part-time government positions. One resigned after being appointed an anganwadi supervisor, and another after joining a minister's staff. Two of the seven belong to the Congress, two to the CPI(M) and three to the IUML.

For some, the choice between public office and financial security was difficult. Raji Rajeev, who quit as the member of the Puliyanam South ward of Parakkadavu grama panchayat, said she had applied for a visa in 2024 and accepted the offer to contest the election when it was delayed. She said she was sad to leave the responsibilities entrusted to her by the people but had no other option, and that the CPI(M) leadership allowed her to take the decision she felt was best. She hoped it would not affect her party's prospects in the bypoll.

Sindu Sanjayan of the Congress, who represented the Blockpadi ward of Ranni Grama Panchayat in Pathanamthitta district, resigned after securing a part-time job through the Employment Exchange. She was serving her fourth term as a panchayat member and said her party leadership and ward residents supported her decision.

Both women said the monthly honorarium of ₹8,000 for a panchayat member was hardly enough to meet their needs.

Former Kochi Mayor M. Anilkumar, co-chair of the Kerala Urban Policy Commission, said the low payment has made the role unattractive to many, including young people. He noted that corporation councillors have long been quitting after finding jobs, and that the commission had recommended a substantial increase.

Another former Kochi Mayor, Soumini Jain, said it was wrong to give up an elected mandate midway for better income, adding that those entering electoral politics should be fully committed. She also stressed that the honorarium was so low that raising it was necessary to curb corruption.

Among the remaining 31 wards going to bypoll, 15 fell vacant after the death of sitting members, seven after resignations for political reasons, and one after a member reportedly quit due to job stress. Eight bypolls were necessitated after members were elected as MLAs.

A grama panchayat member is eligible for a monthly honorarium of ₹8,000 and ₹200 per sitting, capped at ₹1,000 a month. The honorarium was ₹3,000 as recently as 2022. District panchayat members receive ₹9,800 a month and block panchayat members ₹15,600, while municipal and corporation councillors get ₹8,600 and ₹8,200 respectively. Heads of local bodies and standing committees receive higher amounts, with a district panchayat president eligible for ₹16,800 a month and a block panchayat president for ₹15,600. Grama panchayat presidents get ₹14,200, while municipal chairpersons and corporation mayors receive ₹15,600 and ₹15,800. The State Finance Commission has recommended increasing the honorarium of elected representatives in local bodies.