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Congress’
factional fight in Kerala may hurt poll chances
Manoj K.
Das
Kochi, April
20:
THE impact of ceasefire in the Congress is yet to filter to the
grass-roots in central Kerala, a traditional United Democratic Front
(UDF) stronghold, where the Left has gained an initial edge in campaigning
for the May 10 Assembly polls.
This could especially
spoil the UDF’s chances in Thrissur and Ernakulam districts,
where the Karunakaran faction has a predominant presence. But in
Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Palakkad districts, the UDF is hopeful
of getting its foothold strong even while retaining the existing
seats.
Congress factionalism
may prove fatal for UDF in Vadakkekara and Paravoor in Ernakulam
and Mala in Thrissur. The LDF, however, is hopeful of retaining
Mattancherry and wresting Kunnathunadu and Perumbavoor from the
UDF.
In Cherthala
it is a repeat of the 1996 elections with C.K. Chandrappan of the
CPI facing Leader of Opposition A.K. Antony. A tough fight is expected
this time around too. In Alappuzha, K.C. Venugopal of the Congress
has an edge over rival candidate, CPI-backed Independent A.M Abdul
Rahim. Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) old hat A.V. Thamarakshan
has also appeared in Harippad in a new cloak this time around. Apart
from the UDF tag, Thamarakshan’s party is now RSP (B).
For Kerala Congress
(Mani), contesting from six seats, wresting of Kaduthuruthy (Stephen
George) and Poonjaar (T.V. Abraham), currently held by nominees
of KC (Joseph), has become a prestige issue. The grapevine is also
ripe with stories of a tacit understanding between the KC(M) and
the BJP. Incidentally, the BJP has not put up a candidate at Pala,
where K.M. Mani is contesting.
Though the spice-belt
of Idukki is an acknowledged UDF bastion, the last edition of polls
threw up a few surprises with Peeremedu falling to C.A. Kurien (CPI),
Idukki to P.P. Sulaiman Rawther (JD (S)) and Thodupuzha to P.J.
Joseph. The Congress had to content with Udumbanchola and Devikulam.
But this time
both fronts are facing problems. In Idukki, Rawther has turned rebel
and is felt that he may spoil the chances of former state election
commissioner and LDF-sponsored candidate M.A. Joseph.
In Thrissur,
the LDF is out to retain its prominence. Among its 14 constituencies,
a stiff fight is expected in Kodungallur, Kodakara, Guruvayur, Nattika
and Chelak-kara. Interestingly, in Kodungallur, the sitting CPI
MLA, Meenakshi Thampa,n is being challenged by two of her former
CPI colleagues — saffron-clad Madambu Kunjikuttan and JSS leader
Umesh Challyil (UDF).
The UDF is out
to correct its 1996 show in Palakkad when it won just two of 11
constituencies. Barring Kollengode and Chittur, the UDF ate a humble
pie in all the remaining nine segments. This time, the UDF hopes
to bag at least five seats.
(With inputs
from Byju Aryad in Alappuzha, Mathew A. Thomas
in Kottayam, N.V. Davies in Thrissur
and A. Satish in Palakkad)
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