Clash Erupts at Kasaragod DCC Office Over Seat Allocation

KASARAGOD: A significant altercation erupted at the District Congress Committee (DCC) office in Kasaragod today, November 20, 2025, over a contentious seat-sharing dispute concerning the upcoming local body elections for the East Eleri Panchayat. The clash saw DCC Vice President James Panthamakkan and Vasudevan, the District President of the Congress farmers’ organization, engage in a physical confrontation during crucial allocation discussions.

The incident, which occurred amidst intense deliberations for the local polls, quickly escalated from a prolonged disagreement that had been simmering on social media platforms and within party meetings. Visuals of the brawl, captured by Congress workers on their mobile phones, swiftly went viral across social media, drawing widespread attention to the internal strife within the party.

The origins of the conflict trace back to James Panthamakkan’s return to the Congress party last year. Panthamakkan had previously distanced himself from the Congress to establish his own organization, the DDF, which held governance over the East Eleri Panchayat. Upon his re-entry into the Congress, he was appointed DCC Vice President as part of an apparent settlement.

During the recent seat allocation discussions, Panthamakkan demanded tickets for seven individuals who had joined the Congress alongside him. This demand met initial resistance from DCC officials, but a consensus was eventually reached to allocate five seats. However, the situation deteriorated after Panthamakkan and his associates publicly criticized DCC President P.K. Faisal on social media. In response to these public criticisms, the DCC leadership made a decisive move to reduce the number of allocated seats to just two. This decision intensified the existing grievances and disputes, ultimately leading to the physical confrontation witnessed today at the DCC office.

This incident highlights the deep-seated factionalism and challenges faced by the Congress party in Kasaragod as it prepares for the vital local body elections.