Thrissur, Dec. 27 -- In a political twist in Kerala, the Congress suffered a major setback in Mattathur panchayat of Thrissur district after its elected representatives resigned from the party and forged an alliance with the BJP to take control of the local body.
Eight Congress members in the Mattathur grama panchayat resigned from the party and joined hands with the BJP, paving the way for a new ruling combine.
Tessi Jose Kallarakkal, who won the election as an Independent, was elected panchayat president with the support of the rebel Congress members and BJP members, ending the 23-year rule of the Left in Mattathur.
In the 24-member panchayat, Left Democratic Front (LDF) has 10, United Democratic Front (UDF) 8, NDA 4, and 2 Independent...