BJP and LDF join hands; Congress loses power in Vembayam Grama panchayat 

VEMBAYAM: The Congress lost power in Vembayam Grama panchayat after the no-confidence motion moved by the LDF was passed with the support of the BJP. The no-confidence motion was against panchayat president Beena Jayan and vice-president Jagannathan.

Three BJP members voted in favour of the resolution. Members of Congress and a member of the SDPI abstained from voting. In the 21-member Vembayam grama panchayat, the LDF has nine members, the Congress eight, the BJP three and the SDPI one. Beena Jayan was elected president through a draw of lots after being supported by an SDPI member earlier.

Files of the Public Works Department (PWD) were gutted in a fire that broke out in the panchayat office two months ago. The CPM had alleged that the existing governing body was behind the fire that broke out during the vigilance probe into the demolition of a hill in the panchayat limits. The no-confidence motion was moved subsequently.