Mangaluru: The saffron party faced an unexpected setback as T Ismail, a candidate supported by SDPI, secured the position of president in the Talapady gram panchayat located on the outskirts of Mangaluru. This outcome occurred on Thursday with the assistance of two members affiliated with the BJP, who have since been suspended by the party for engaging in activities contrary to party interests.

Among the 24-member panchayat, 13 members were aligned with BJP, 10 with SDPI, and one with Congress. The solitary Congress-aligned member and another candidate backed by SDPI were absent during the polling process. The collaboration of the two BJP-affiliated members with the SDPI-supported candidate prompted criticism from netizens and Congress leaders toward the BJP.