Sobha Charlie, Ranni panchayat office | Screengrab: Mathrubhumi News
Pathanamthitta: The LDF member who was elected as president of Ranni panchayat and BJP had made an agreement even before the president election. The documents proving this have come to light. Kerala Congress (M) member Sobha Charlie made the agreement with BJP without the knowledge of LDF members. BJP released copy of the agreement as a proof.
Sobha Charlie assured BJP in writing that she would cooperate with only her party and not with LDF. She sought help of BJP in order to become the president. However, Sobha refused to respond in this regard.
Though Sobha was an LDF candidate, the BJP members nominated her and supported in president election. She won 7 votes and was elected as president. With this, CPM leadership had asked Sobha to resign as she won with the support of BJP.
However, Sobha refused to resign and she was ousted from LDF. Meanwhile, Kerala Congress leaders responded that they have no clue regarding the deal between Sobha and BJP.
In Ranni panchayat, both LDF and UDF had won five seats each while BJP won two seats. One independent candidate also had won.