Tricks to capture local self government rule; party defection in panchayats; votes invalid in many cases

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Defection, cheating... Yesterday's panchayat president and vice-president elections witnessed a procession of drama. Many fell. Many unexpectedly won. The luck of the draw turned into both a blessing and a villain in many places. There is also the shame of mistake. Many did not accept the party whip.

The biggest coup was when eight Congress representatives resigned from the party in Mattathur panchayat in Thrissur and a rebel was made the president with the support of BJP. Following this, the Congress suspended DCC General Secretary Chandran and Mandal President Shafi.

It is noteworthy that three Congress panchayat presidents who won with the support of SDPI resigned following the instructions of the party state leadership. The presidents of Pangod in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottangal in Pathanamthitta, and Chovannoor panchayats in Thrissur resigned.

In Vadakara block, the RJD member cheated the LDF, which was tied with the UDF (7-7), and jumped to the other side. The UDF came to power with a majority of one vote. Despite being ahead by one seat in Pulinkunnu panchayat in Kuttanad, the UDF was cheated by its own member. Ouseppachan, the Congress constituency office-bearer, became the president with the support of the LDF. In Agali, UDF member Manju joined hands with LDF and became the president.

In Kumarakom panchayat, the UDF and BJP joined hands, and the LDF, which had a clear majority, fell. A UDF member became the president after a draw. The LDF has eight seats, the UDF has five, and the BJP has three.

In Chelakkara, LDF member Ramachandran cast a wrong vote, resulting in the UDF's victory. In Mararikulam North Panchayat, one vote was invalid, but luck favored the LDF. Although the LDF and UDF were tied 9-9, Sarala of the CPI became the president through the draw.

Congress lost power in Peringottukurissi, Palakkad after 60 years. LDF-IDF alliance came to power. CPM rebel's vote helped. UDF presidential candidate Chandran in Uduma panchayat invalidated his own vote. CPM member became president in the draw. In Kannur Munderi, which was tied with UDF, the vote of an LDF member was invalidated. UDF got a president here after 40 years.

Invalidated

Despite having a majority in Thrissur Paralam and Thiruvananthapuram Vempayam, the UDF lost after one of its members' votes was invalidated. The BJP won in Paralam and the LDF in Vempayam. Meanwhile, the LDF made a mistake in Moopanadu in Wayanad. It had a lead of one seat, but, after one member's vote was invalidated, it was tied. The luck of the draw was with the UDF. Allegations have been raised in many places that votes were intentionally invalidated by bribery.