New Panchayat member dies shortly after being elected

Thrissur: A 61-year-old man, who had won the local body poll from Chelakkara grama panchayat in Thrissur district, collapsed and died Sunday while on his way to thank supporters.

Muraleedhara Menon, who was riding pillion on a motorcycle, was on his way to thank the voters at Nellikunnu, when he collapsed, police said.

Though he was rushed to hospital, his life could not be saved.

Menon had won the November 5 poll on a Congress ticket.

The Congress led UDF and CPI(M) headed LDF had secured 11 seats each in the 22-member grama panchayat.

The two-phased polls to the three-tier civic bodies in Kerala was held on November 2 and 5.