LDF ousts Kerala Congress-BJP alliance in Kidangoor

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) has succeeded in removing the Kerala Congress-BJP coalition from power in the Kidangoor grama panchayat after more than a year and a half of effort. A no-confidence motion was passed against the panchayat president, Thomas Maliyekkal, a member of the Kerala Congress. The motion gained support from K.G. Vijayan, a rebel from the BJP. Following this, Reshmi Rajesh, the vice-president, who is also a BJP member, resigned from her position. In the 15-member panchayat, the LDF now holds seven seats, while the BJP has five and the remaining three belong to the P.J. Joseph-led Kerala Congress. The leadership in the local body changed dramatically about a year and a half ago. The Kerala Congress allied with the BJP to unseat the LDF at that time. Thomas Maliyekkal was then elected president with the support of the BJP, and a BJP candidate was backed for the vice-president position. This election was prompted by the resignations of the previous president and vice-president as part of a power-sharing deal within the LDF. After his election, Maliyekkal and others were expelled from the Kerala Congress.