Pathanamthitta: A rare electoral contest involving a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in the same ward ended in defeat for both in the Pallikal grama panchayat elections. Kunjumol Kochupappi, who contested as an independent candidate in the Chennampally ward, and her daughter-in-law, Congress candidate Jasmine AB, were defeated, with the BJP’s PV Nirupa winning the seat.

Nirupa secured victory with 424 votes, while independent candidate Surabhi Sunil finished second with 367 votes. Jasmine AB polled 228 votes, and Kunjumol Kochupappi received 31 votes.

A long-time CPI activist, Kunjumol Kochupappi, has previously served two terms as a panchayat member and one term as a block panchayat member. She entered the fray as an independent after the CPI denied her seat in this election. The poll marked the electoral debut of Jasmine AB, her daughter-in-law.