Cong struggles to explain Mattathur

Congress leaders are finding themselves on the defensive after eight elected ward members backed a move that allowed the Bharatiya Janata Party to take control of the Mattathur grama panchayat in Thrissur district, triggering a political storm and exposing rifts within the opposition ranks.

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The vote, held during the panchayat's leadership election, altered the balance of power in a local body that had been outside the BJP's grasp, prompting questions about discipline, intent and accountability within the Congress organisation.

The controversy deepened when Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the episode as an "embarrassing political volte-face", accusing the Congress of enabling the BJP's advance through confusion and internal discord.

His remarks sharpened the focus on whether the eight ward members had merely defied a party whip or had crossed a more serious line amounting to defection.