Thrissur: The BJP-Congress understanding in Mattathur grama panchayat has come into focus again, with members of both parties staying away from a no-confidence motion moved by the LDF. The motion could not be taken up for discussion as the required quorum was not met.

The Congress-BJP understanding in Mattathur had recently triggered a political controversy in Keralam. The panchayat has 24 elected members — 10 from the LDF, eight from the Congress, four from the BJP and two Congress rebels.

During the election of the panchayat president, the BJP extended support to a Congress candidate. The Congress members had resigned from the party shortly before the elections of the president and vice-president and subsequently secured the BJP's backing.

The understanding between the two parties was also evident during the first no-confidence motion. Months later, the LDF moved another motion, but it could not proceed due to the absence of Congress and BJP members.

LDF Opposition Leader C C Biju said the front would move another no-confidence motion after six months to protest against what he described as a communal alliance.
K R Ouseph, who won as an independent rebel candidate, alleged that the Congress had offered to make him panchayat president with the BJP's support.

Meanwhile, former vice-president Noorjahan Nawaz alleged that attempts had been made to secure the support of Congress members by offering them positions and lakhs of rupees.

Panchayat president Tessy Joseph, however, alleged that the LDF had moved the no-confidence motion to disrupt the Keralolsavam organised by the panchayat. She said the BJP's support would continue and that they were unwilling to undermine the people's mandate.