The fault lines that marked the conflicting geopolitics of the district’s western paddy lands and the rich plantation sectors of the eastern highlands are getting blurred. The UDF had come out victorious in 2011 bagging seven out of nine segments, while the 2014 Parliament elections saw the front establishing lead in all nine. However, the local body elections saw the LDF increasing their numbers in all three tiers and an unprecedented performance by the NDA which bagged more than 1.6 lakh votes.
Vaikom
Considered a LDF bastion, it is also a stronghold of SNDP and KPMS. The CPI which holds the segment has fielded C.K. Asha, while the Congress has fielded A. Saneesh Kumar. N.K. Neelakantan, president of the KPMS, is the NDA candidate. There are five others, many of whom can eat into the LDF votes.
Ettumanur
K. Suresh Kurup is contesting his second consecutive election from the segment, against Thomas Chazhikkadan (KC-M) who had a consecutive run for 20 years, before he was defeated in 2011. Both are facing threats to their vote bank. While the BDJS’s A.G. Thankappan has potential to impact the traditional strongholds and is seen as a hazard to Mr. Kurup’s chances while the presence of KC(M) rebel Josemon Mundackel is seen as a threat to Mr. Chazhikkadan. There are four others in the field.
Kaduthuruthy
A Kerala Congress stronghold, Kaduthuruthy is witnessing a direct fight among the three factions in the UDF, LDF, and NDA.
Sitting MLA Mons Joseph is batting for UDF, while Scaria Thomas, leader of the faction named after him represents LDF. Stephen Chazhikkadan is the NDA candidate representing the P.C. Thomas faction.
While the UDF candidate has a party machinery to lead his campaign, the other two are dependent on their respective coalition partners. Three others are also fighting.
Kottayam
Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan (Congress) had won the 2011 election with a majority of just 711 votes against his rival the then sitting MLA, V.N. Vasavan (CPI-M).
However, in the last five years, he has emerged as the ambassador of the UDF brand of development with claims to roads, bridges, and institutions in a development starved town.
The CPI(M) has fielded Reji Zachariah. M.S. Karunakaran, veteran BMS leader, is the NDA candidate. Five others are also contesting.
Pala
The pocket borough of KC(M) leader K.M. Mani for the past half a century or more, Pala is witnessing a triangular fight with Mani C. Kappan of the NCP and N. Hari of the BJP taking on the veteran.
Five independents are also fighting in Pala. His rivals believe the situation is different this time, but Mr. Mani’s camp is confident.
Poonjar
With 17 candidates fighting it out, and a major four-cornered fight going on among the three major coalitions and powerful independent P.C. George, Poonjar presents a picture of total disarray. The cross currents and smaller independents would decide the outcome. The UDF has fielded Georgekutty Augusthy and LDF, P.C. Joseph (KC-D). M.R. Ullas is the BDJS candidate.
Kanjirappally
Kerala Congress (M) leader N. Jayaraj is seeking his second term. The CPI has deputed V.B. Binu to take on him. The BJP has fielded V.N. Manoj. Five others are also contesting. This is one segment where the NDA could impact the outcome. They had polled nearly 29,000 votes in the last local body elections and have 18 members in the panchayat, including one in the block panchayat.
Changanassery
The segment is witnessing a triangular fight among the two KC factions and the BJP. Sitting MLA C.F. Thomas is being taken on by former colleague and KC(D) leader K.C. Joseph while party veteran Ettumanur Radhakrishnan is contesting on the BJP ticket. SUCI (C) has one of their strongest units here.
Puthuppally
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is seeking his 11th consecutive term this time. While the CPI(M) believes their candidate and SFI State president Jaick C. Thomas will create history, Mr. Chandy’s supporters believe the real fight is for increasing the margin. George Kurian is representing the NDA.
Published - May 10, 2016 12:00 am IST
