Kerala | Setback for LDF in Pathanamthitta: Party worker keeps his word, shaves off moustache
Pathanamthitta: The Left Democratic Front (LDF) suffered a major setback in the local body elections in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district, with the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) emerging with a clear advantage. Amid this political defeat, an LDF worker drew public attention by keeping a promise he had made before the polls.
Babu Varghese, an LDF activist, had publicly declared ahead of the election that he would shave off his trademark moustache if the LDF failed to retain the Pathanamthitta Municipality. After the results were announced and the party lost control of the municipality, Varghese followed through on his promise and shaved his moustache.
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The loss of the Pathanamthitta Municipality has come as a significant blow to the Left parties at the local level.
In addition, the UDF secured majorities in 34 Gram Panchayats and seven Block Panchayats across the district. In the municipal elections as well, the UDF won three municipalities, two of which were previously under Left control.
LDF party worker Babu Varghese, who had vowed to shave his moustache if the LDF failed to win the Pathanamthitta Municipality, has now gone through with it after the party’s defeat. #Pathanamthitta #LDF #KeralaLocalBodyElection2025 #KeralaLocalBodyElection pic.twitter.com/gxQ9dKFQSt
— Harish M (@chnmharish) December 13, 2025
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Thackerays, Wadettiwar attend Sharad Pawar's dinner meet in Mumbai
Mumbai (PTI): NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar hosted a dinner for Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders in Mumbai, his first interaction with them after a spell of illness that had kept him away from public engagements recently.
The dinner meet, held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre on Monday night, was attended by key alliance leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) head and former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, his son and MLA Aaditya Thackeray, Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar and former state Congress president Nana Patole.
Sources said discussions touched on the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) elections, with the terms of nine members — including Uddhav Thackeray — set to expire in May.
Earlier this month, MVA nominee Pawar and six candidates of the ruling Mahayuti alliance were elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra.
Last month, the 85-year-old former Union minister was admitted to a hospital in Pune twice following a chest infection and complaints of dehydration.
