Kailashahar, Aug 28: In an unexpected political twist, the Congress and BJP have formed an alliance to govern the Bhagaban Nagar Gram Panchayat in Kailasahar’s Gour Nagar on Wednesday. This Panchayat, consisting of 11 seats, saw a mixed victory in the recently concluded three-tier panchayat elections. The CPI(M) won five seats, while Congress and BJP each secured three.

Before the elections, Congress and CPI(M) had allied in other Panchayats within the Gournagar block, but they contested independently in Bhagaban Nagar. With no party winning a majority, many anticipated a Congress-CPI(M) coalition. However, during the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday things took a different turn.

All 11 members were sworn in, and when it came time to elect the Pradhan, CPI(M) nominated Farida Begum, while BJP backed Congress's Nehar Begum, who was ultimately elected. BJP’s Prasenjit Malakar was then chosen as deputy Pradhan.

Despite CPI(M) having five members in the panchayat, Congress's refusal to support them led to frustration within the CPI(M) camp. Vijay Das, a CPI(M) panchayat member, expressed his anger, accusing Congress members of defying their party whip and betraying the CPI(M).

On the other hand, BJP leader and senior Unakoti district lawyer, Sandip Deb Roy, stated that the alliance with Congress was necessary to save the people from the CPI(M), which he labeled as an anti-national party. He promised that this Panchayat would be corruption-free and work for the betterment of the common people.