Thrissur: Former Block Congress Committee vice-president and current Mattathur Panchayat member K R Ouseph has spoken out strongly against the recent political realignment in the Mattathur Panchayat, triggering fresh controversy and intensifying political tensions.

Ouseph said he contested the panchayat election as an independent candidate and was allotted the umbrella symbol. As he ran against the official Congress candidate in Ward 11, he was expelled from the party for six years with effect from December 1. He pointed out that the main rival he faced in the election was a BJP candidate and said he secured victory only due to strong support from minority communities.

According to Ouseph, senior Congress leaders visited his residence on December 23 after his victory and urged him to support the Congress-led front. Those who met him included T M Chandran, Shafi Kallupurambil, Ranjith Kaippilly, Block Panchayat member Praveen, and Satheeshan Illathparambil. Chandran reportedly sought Ouseph’s support for the Congress-backed candidate for the panchayat president’s post.

However, Ouseph said he reconsidered after questioning the arithmetic of government formation. He argued that even if the eight Congress members and two independent members joined hands, they would only equal the LDF’s strength of 10 members. Chandran’s response—that the BJP’s four seats could also be included—prompted him to withdraw support for the UDF, Ouseph said.

Ouseph made it clear that he was unwilling to align with communal forces and therefore refused to be part of a Congress–BJP arrangement. He added that had he agreed to such an alliance, he would have been the president of the Mattathur Panchayat. “I am not prepared to betray the people who trusted me with their votes,” he said.

He further alleged that Chandran was carrying out a false propaganda campaign against him due to personal animosity. According to Ouseph, the hostility dates back to 2010, when he defeated a relative of Chandran in an election, following which efforts were allegedly made to politically undermine him.

Meanwhile, DCC president Joseph Tajet has issued an ultimatum warning that Congress ward members elected on the party panel will be disqualified if the panchayat president and vice-president do not resign from their posts.

Separately, the DCC has found that Congress member Bindu deliberately invalidated her vote to ensure the victory of a BJP candidate in Paralam Panchayat. Following the BJP’s win there, Bindu has been suspended pending an inquiry.

At the same time, the LDF has decided to politically capitalise on the alleged Congress–BJP nexus in Mattathur. As part of this move, the front will organise a public protest in Mattathur on Tuesday, indicating that the political battle over the panchayat is far from over.