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The symbolic act came as the UDF delivered a decisive blow to the Left in the district, breaking a long-standing political pattern and wresting control of key local bodies from the LDF. A dramatic personal moment captured the mood of the Left Democratic Front’s setback in Pathanamthitta on Saturday, when LDF worker Babu Varghese shaved off his trademark moustache after the party failed to retain the Pathanamthitta Municipality.

Defying a long-standing political pattern in the district, the United Democratic Front (UDF) has scored a decisive breakthrough in Pathanamthitta, wresting control of the district panchayat and a majority of local bodies from the Left Democratic Front (LDF). The Congress-led coalition, carrying forward its momentum from last year’s Lok Sabha elections, has won a clear majority in the district panchayat, besides securing control of 34 grama panchayats and seven block panchayats. The UDF also registered significant gains in the municipal segment winning three municipalities, including two that were earlier held by the LDF. In the 16-member district panchayat, the UDF won a comfortable majority with 12 seats, while the LDF’s tally fell sharply to five from 12 in the previous election. Among the notable winners was Sreenadevi Kunjamma, who switched allegiance from the Communist Party of India (CPI) to the Congress at the eleventh hour and contested as a UDF candidate from the Pallickal division.