- All eight Congress councillors quit and back BJP-supported front
- Congress rebel Tessy Jose elected panchayat president
- LDF loses control after dramatic last-minute realignment
- Episode exposes deep Congress factional cracks in Thrissur
GG News Bureau
Thrissur, 27th Dec: In a dramatic political realignment in Kerala’s Thrissur district, all eight elected Congress members of the Mattathur grama panchayat resigned en masse and joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party, leading to a surprise takeover of the local council.
With BJP support, Congress rebel Tessy Jose Kallaraykkal was elected the new panchayat president, bringing an end to the Left Democratic Front’s uninterrupted 23-year rule in Mattathur.
The 24-member panchayat had delivered a fractured mandate, with the LDF securing 10 seats, the United Democratic Front 8, the NDA 4 and two Independents. The numbers were so close that a draw of lots was being considered to decide the presidency.
Initially, the UDF had planned to back independent councillor KR Ouseph, who had contested as a Congress rebel. However, moments before the election, Ouseph shifted allegiance to the LDF, triggering shock and anger within local Congress ranks.
Citing unfair treatment and neglect of loyal workers by the local leadership, all eight Congress councillors tendered their resignations. They then rallied behind Tessy Jose as an Independent candidate. Backed by three valid BJP votes — with one BJP vote declared invalid — Tessy Jose secured 12 votes and clinched the top post.
The councillors who resigned are Minimol, Sreeja, Suma Antony, Akshay Santhosh, Printo Palliparamban, CG Rajesh, CB Paulose and Noorjahan Nawaz.
The unexpected alliance has rattled both the Congress and the LDF. While the Congress has yet to initiate disciplinary action against the eight members, the BJP said its support was in keeping with the “mandate of the council.”
The LDF, which believed it had stitched together a winning combination after Ouseph’s switch, is now reassessing its strategy.
Local party workers in Thrissur say the Mattathur upheaval reflects deeper organisational issues within the Congress and warn that similar revolts could surface elsewhere if corrective steps are not taken swiftly.
