AV Gopinathan, a rebel Congress leader and former District Congress Committee (DCC) chief, is set to end the Congress’s long rule in Peringottkurissi grama panchayat.
Mr Gopinathan on Friday announced that he and his supporters will fight the upcoming local body elections under the banner of the Independent Development Front (IDF) in alliance with the Left Democratic Front (LDF).
He said seat-sharing talks with the LDF were on. Currently, the United Democratic Front (UDF) has 11 seats in the 16-member panchayat board, while the LDF has five members. After delimitation, the number of wards increased to 18.
Mr Gopinathan said the final picture of seat sharing would be ready in two days. He said he would end the six-decade juggernaut of the Congress in Peringottkurissi. He said a section within the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), one of the key constituents of the UDF, had offered its support.
Mr. Gopinathan, a former MLA and 25-year-old panchayat president, predicted a historic victory for the non-Congress party in Peringottkurissi, marking a shift in power. This will be the first local body election to be contested outside the Congress.
However, the Congress leadership in the district is of the view that Mr. Gopinathan’s decision to tie up with the CPI(M) will fail.
Published – 07 Nov 2025 20:32 IST
