The UDF unseated the LDF in the Upputhara panchayat in Idukki with the support of the BJP

The United Democratic Front (UDF) on Thursday (October 22) won control of the Upputhara grama panchayat in Idukki after its no-confidence motion against the Left Democratic Front (LDF) was passed with the unexpected support of a BJP member.

In the 18-member panchayat, both the UDF and LDF have eight seats each, while the BJP and Independent have one each. During the voting on Thursday, BJP member Nisha Pradeep created a ruckus by voting in favor of the UDF-sponsored motion against the ruling LDF.

Independent member Ramani Roopesh supported the UDF, saying that she had left the LDF because it had stopped local development projects. With both members voting in favour, the motion secured 10 votes, ousting the LDF from power.

Meanwhile, the BJP leadership said that Ms. Pradeep had voted against the party whip and that they would initiate disciplinary proceedings against her.

The LDF used to run the panchayat with the support of an independent member. However, after recent differences with the leadership, Ms. Roopesh withdrew her support and allied with the UDF, setting the stage for a no-confidence motion.

Although the LDF has ruled Upputhar for the past ten years, no front secured an absolute majority in the last local body elections, resulting in a split of eight seats each for the LDF and the UDF along with the BJP and an Independent each. The LDF managed to run the administration for the past 10 months with only the support of an independent member before losing power on Thursday.

Meanwhile, BJP Idukki South district president VC Varghese suspended Ms. Pradeep, who voted against the party whip, and removed district secretary Santhosh Krishnan from party posts for acting against the party’s official stand. “If more leaders are found to have interfered in this matter, the party will take strict action against them,” Mr. Varghese said.

Published – 22 Oct 2026 18:46 IST