Mattathur panchayat row: Congress plans legal action against 10 defectors

Thrissur: The Thrissur District Congress Committee (DCC) has decided start legal proceedings to disqualify 10 ward members of the Mattathur Grama Panchayat, a day after eight of them resigned from the party formed an alliance with BJP members to wrest power in the panchayat. The remaining two had contested as rebel candidates after being denied seats.

According to DCC president Adv Joseph Tajet, the party has already initiated strict disciplinary measures and expelled those who led the move. “Action will also be taken against those who contested as rebels and were later accommodated by the party. Legal proceedings will be initiated to disqualify the eight Congress ward members and two rebel members. The legal steps to disqualify all 10 members will begin soon,” said the DCC president on Sunday.

With this, panchayat president Tessi Jose Kallarackal, ward members KR Ouseph, Minimol, Sreeja, Suma Antony, Akshay Santhosh, Printo Palliparamban, Siji Rajesh, Sibi Paulose, and Noorjahan Navas will face legal action. Tessi and Ouseph had contested the local body polls as rebel candidates. However, the eight others resigned from the party on the day of the presidential election.

Joseph Tajet clarified that the DCC leadership had issued a clear whip, and it was the responsibility of local leaders to circulate it.

At the same time, he criticised the CPM for “celebrating” the issue, pointing out that the party — which failed to take action against one of its members who voted for the Congress in Chelakkara — is now mocking the Congress.