25 years of left rule; not a single seat this time; BJP takes power in Pudur Panchayat

PALAKKAD: The LDF, which ruled Pudur panchayat in Attappadi for 25 years, could not win a single seat this time. There are a total of 14 wards here. The CPM and the CPI contested seven seats each, but they could not win a single seat. The BJP took over the panchayat with a shocking win. The BJP, which won nine seats, became the single largest party. The UDF won five seats.

Panchayat president and CPI district committee member Jyoti Anil Kumar lost to the UDF candidate. In many places, LDF candidates came in third place. The BJP captured five seats from the wards where the LDF had influence. The UDF also captured one seat. The seat tally was LDF (6), UDF (3), and BJP (3) in the 2020 local body elections. Pudur is a panchayat with a large number of tribals. The fact that the vigilance found irregularities in the housing project for tribals in the panchayat also came as a setback for the LDF. The panchayat president and others are facing a vigilance investigation in the case.