Thrissur, Kerala: The Congress has taken disciplinary action after members elected on its ticket joined hands with the BJP to capture power in Mattathur panchayat, triggering a major political twist. In connection with the incident, DCC General Secretary TM Chandran and Mandalam President Shafi Kalluparambil have been suspended from the party’s primary membership.

The dramatic developments unfolded during the panchayat president election held on Saturday. Ahead of the poll, eight members elected as Congress candidates resigned from the party. They later aligned with the BJP and extended support to Tessy Jose Kallarackal, who had won as a UDF rebel candidate, in the president election. With their backing, Tessy Jose was elected panchayat president.

In the local body elections, the LDF had won 10 seats, the UDF eight seats, the NDA four seats, along with two independents, including Tessy Jose. However, just before the president election, the eight Congress members quit the party and joined hands with the BJP to back Tessy.

Tessy Jose secured the votes of eight former Congress members and three BJP members, while the vote of one BJP member was declared invalid. The LDF supported K.R. Ouseph, who had won as a UDF rebel candidate. Ouseph received 10 votes in the election.