
In Kerala's Mattathur panchayat, rebel Congress members allied with the BJP to elect a Congress rebel as president, ousting the CPI(M)-led LDF. The LDF, which held the most seats, was outmaneuvered by the Congress rebels and BJP. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticized the alliance, calling it a dangerous trend that strengthens the Sangh Parivar and erodes democratic mandates, urging the Congress leadership to respond.