LDF vs UDF: War of phrases over Thrikkakara by-election

Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The confrontation between the LDF and UDF continues unabated over the candidature of LDF candidate Dr Joe Jacob within the Thrikkakara by-election.

The UDF camp feels that the ploy of the LDF camp is to divide the Christian votes which might in any other case are available favour of UDF candidate Uma Thomas. This is why KS Arun Kumar who had emerged as a preferred CPM activist as a consequence of his energetic discussions over Okay-Rail on media was initially thought-about in Thrikkakara.

Initially CN Mohan, Ernakulam CPM district secretary had endorsed Arun Kumar, CPM district committee member and former district secretary of DYFI. But this had allegedly not gone down properly with P Rajeeve, industries minister, who has been at loggerheads with Mohan.

According to the State Congress management, the preliminary confusion over the candidature in LDF camp wouldn’t have occurred if Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPM secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had been within the State. They really feel that it was the shortage of vigilance which led to the confusion over the LDF’s candidate. 

UDF convener M M Hassan instructed TNIE that majority of the Catholic voters in Thrikkakara are towards Cardinal George Alancherry who can be the Major Archbishop of the Syro – Malabar Church.

“It has been Cardinal Alancherry’s idea to field Dr Joe Jacob in Thrikkakara which has been backed by Rajeeve. The latter was not keen to endorse Mohan’s choice, Arun Kumar. But now what is going to be witnessed is that the Catholic voters are not going to favour Dr Joe Jacob. The Cardinal wants the LDF Government’s help in the land deal case he has been facing and has in return proposed their candidate,” stated Hassan.

The Congress camp is eagerly ready to jeopardize the technique of Rajeeve. They are assured that regardless of P T Thomas’ brush with the Catholic Church, they’ll assist his widow, Uma Thomas. With three extra weeks left for the campaigning, the Congress and UDF camps are upbeat about rising the margin polled by P T Thomas within the final Assembly election.