Congress Hesitant to Act as SDPI-Backed Officials Refuse to Resign

Thrissur: In the elections for the president posts of Mattathur and Chovannur panchayaths, Congress has once again revealed its opportunistic streak, showing a willingness to align with communal forces purely for power.

The party leadership has stated it cannot accept SDPI’s win in Chovannur. To save face, Congress expelled Chovannur panchayat president A M Nidheesh and vice president Sabet Varghese, yet neither has resigned, and the leadership is not pressuring them to do so.

From the candidate selection stage, the UDF leadership has repeatedly negotiated with SDPI in several areas, leaving it unable to take firm action. In Chovannur’s 14-member governing committee, LDF holds six seats, making it the largest party.

With five UDF members and support from two SDPI members, the coalition assumed control of the administration. Traditionally, UDF often allies with communal forces such as BJP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and SDPI, both openly and behind the scenes. However, in Chovannur, the alliance of Congress candidates with BJP and SDPI has triggered widespread protest, even among secular voters.