Five League councillors cross-vote for LDF; big drama in Thodupuzha municipality election

IDUKKI: An altercation broke out between Congress and Muslim league workers during the Thodupuzha municipal chairman election. The councillors pushed and shoved each other creating tension and panic on the premises. LDF candidate AS Sabina Binju won the election with the support of five league votes from the UDF camp. This led to a war of words between Congress and league workers that later morphed into a physical feud.

The UDF had 13 members in the council but failed to reach a consensus with the Muslim League. With the rift worsening, the Muslim League also placed their candidate for election. K Deepak contested from Congress and MA Karim contested from the Muslim League. In the second round of voting, the five councillors of the League voted for LDF. Despite wresting power, LDF also shares the burden of worry as one councillor from the left party voted in favour of Congress.

The Congress accused the League of employing fraudulent means to settle scores. The League officials said they voted for LDF to prevent BJP’s rise in the local bodies. The election for the new chairman was expedited after former chairman Sanish George, resigned after facing bribe allegations.