The United Democratic Front (UDF) on Thursday (October 22) wrested control of the Upputhara grama panchayat in Idukki after its no-confidence motion against the Left Democratic Front (LDF) was passed with the unexpected backing from a BJP member.
In the 18-member panchayat, both the UDF and LDF hold eight seats each, while the BJP and an Independent hold one seat each. During the vote on Thursday, BJP member Nisha Pradeep created a stir by voting in favour of the UDF-sponsored motion against the ruling LDF.
Independent member Ramani Roopesh backed the UDF, saying she left the LDF because it stalled local development projects. With both members voting in favour, the motion secured 10 votes, unseating the LDF from power.
Meanwhile, the BJP leadership said Ms. Pradeep voted in violation of the party whip and that it would initiate disciplinary action against her.
The LDF had previously governed the panchayat with the support of the Independent member. However, following recent differences with the leadership, Ms. Roopesh withdrew her support and aligned with the UDF, paving the way for the no-confidence motion.
Although the LDF had governed Upputhara for the past ten years, no front secured an absolute majority in the last local body elections, which produced a split of eight seats each for the LDF and UDF, alongside the single BJP and Independent members. The LDF had managed to run the administration for the past 10 months solely with the Independent member’s support before losing power on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the BJP’s Idukki south district president V.C. Varghese suspended Ms. Pradeep, who voted in violation of the party whip, and removed district secretary Santhosh Krishnan from party posts for acting against the party’s official stance. ‘If more leaders are found to have intervened in the issue, the party will take strict action against them,’ said Mr. Varghese.
Published - October 22, 2026 06:46 pm IST