Koothattukulam: A youth shaved his head after his former teacher in college lost in the local body election. The incident took place in ward 8 of Thirumady panchayat in Ernakulam district.

When Benny Paily, who earlier taught at Thodupuzha Cooperative College, contested as a UDF candidate in the recent local body election, tasted defeat, his student Nikhil K Das, a resident of Kondattukunneth in Ramapuram, tonsured his head.

Nikhil had pursued BCom in Thodupuzha Cooperative College in 2013, when Benny was a faculty member there. Nikhil developed a close bond with his teacher since then.

A few weeks ago, Nikhil met Benny after many years while the latter was campaigning for the local body election. The meeting was unexpected and a surprise for both. During their conversation, Nikhil promised Benny: “Sir, you will certainly win. If you lose, I will tonsure my head.”'

Benny tried to dissuade Nikhil, but he kept his word when the election results were declared. With a shaved head, Nikhil visited Benny at his house on Sunday. Benny lost by a whisker of four votes to LDF candidate A C Johnson, who is an agent of Malayala Manorama newspaper.