Congress -BJP Alliance in Vallappad Panchayat Comes to Light Through Leaked Conversation

Thrissur: An audio recording has surfaced revealing a covert alliance between Congress and BJP in Vallappad Panchayat. The conversation indicates that the DCC secretary instructed members to vote in favour of the BJP for the position of Standing Committee Chairperson. The discussion suggests that Congress leaders were aware of and complicit in this arrangement.

In the recent Standing Committee elections, DCC Secretary Naushad reportedly advised members to support the BJP to prevent the CPI(M) from winning. While a female member opposed this move, the leadership insisted that the Left should not secure two Standing Committee positions. The current party strength in the panchayat is LDF 9, UDF 8, and BJP 5.

Though the LDF governs the panchayat, the Standing Committee elections revealed a behind-the-scenes understanding between Congress and BJP. Congress withheld the necessary members for the Welfare Standing Committee, paving the way for the BJP to claim the Chairperson position. Even though Congress fielded its own candidate, it did not provide enough support to secure a win. Conversely, for the Health and Education Standing Committee, BJP withheld support, allowing Congress to take the Chairperson role.

Consequently, with BJP backing, UDF secured the Health and Education Standing Committee Chairperson post, while the LDF retained the Development and Finance Chairperson positions. This episode in Vallappad Panchayat reflects a pattern of alliances similar to the so-called ‘Kolibi coalition’ seen elsewhere in the state. Panchayat President P K Mohanan remarked that the public has clearly recognised this unholy alliance.