Kochi: After a seesaw battle, Sunila Sibi of the United Democratic Front (UDF) was elected as the new chairperson of Maradu Municipality on Tuesday. She defeated LDF-backed independent councillor Divya Anilkumar by 17 votes to 16 to become the third chairperson of the civic body in less than two years. Incumbent Divya had resigned last month after the UDF moved a no-confidence motion.

The LDF had hopes all along to continue holding in power after reports of difference of opinion in the UDF camp over candidature on the eve of the election. However, the UDF managed to hold the fort. “The priority is to take everyone on board and find lasting solution to waste treatment and the menace of plastic waste,” she said. In the 33-member council, both LDF and UDF have 15 members each with the former commanding the support of one independent and the latter that of two independents.