In a significant political move, Shobha, the BJP-backed President of Thenkanidiyoor Gram Panchayat, officially switched allegiance to the Congress party on July 2. This transition was marked by a formal welcome from District Congress president Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, who handed over the Congress flag to Shobha during an induction ceremony.
Previously, the 26-member Thenkanidiyoor Gram Panchayat had a composition of 14 BJP-backed and 12 Congress-backed members. Shobha, elected under ST reservation with BJP support, has now aligned herself with Congress, resulting in an equal distribution of 13 members each between BJP and Congress. This shift has effectively transferred administrative control to the Congress party within the Panchayat.
In response to Shobha’s defection, the BJP promptly expelled her from the party, citing allegations of filing false cases against party members and making unilateral decisions affecting the Panchayat without consulting fellow party members. The expulsion order condemned her actions as detrimental to party interests and warranted immediate removal from BJP ranks.
During her induction into Congress, notable party leaders and Panchayat members were present, including Veronica Cornelio (KPCC spokesperson), Prakyath Shetty (Vice President District Congress), and other local leaders. The event highlighted the political realignment and its implications for local governance dynamics.
Social media discussions on this political shift are marked by hashtags such as #PoliticalTransition, #GramPanchayatPolitics, #BJPvsCongress, and #LocalGovernance, reflecting public interest and commentary on party dynamics and leadership changes at the grassroots level.
This move underscores the fluidity of local politics and the strategic implications of individual affiliations in shaping administrative outcomes within rural governance structures.