In a rare move, the Congress in Kerala took less than 24 hours to decide its candidate for the Thrikkakara bypoll on May 31. The bypoll was necessitated after the death of 71-year-old PT Thomas on December 22, and the Congress took no time to decide on the ticket to his wife Uma Thomas.
Soon after his name was announced, he launched the campaign.
Uma called and sought blessings of Congress stalwarts like AK Antony and Vayalar Ravi, both now 80 years old.
Thrikkakara constituency was carved out of the erstwhile Tripunithura assembly constituency and the first assembly elections were held in 2011. Since then this constituency has always been a traditional stronghold of the Congress.
Out of the three elections held so far, Thomas has won easy in 2016 and 2021 and here too Uma seems to be getting an early lead. But when in power, the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front does not give a damn because of its money power and strong organizational strength.
However, senior Congress leader, former Ernakulam Lok Sabha member and Union Minister KV Thomas, who is currently seen as a personality-non-great by the party for breaching discipline when he attended the 23rd CPI-M Party Congress in Kannur The CPI(M) appears to be holding a prize.
LDF’s new convener EP Jayarajan, who has now commanded the entire election campaign in Thrikkakara, said that Thomas is a seasoned politician and his attitude was very clear “who stands for development, the hashtag of the Left”.
“His statement tells everything and now we must wait. We will welcome all those who speak for development,” Jayarajan said.
But, Uma is convinced and begins her campaign from Thomas’s tomb in Idukki on Wednesday. He also met the Idukki Catholic Bishop. She said she was very hopeful that Thomas would pitch for her as he had been a well-wisher of her and her late husband.
“Thomas Mashoo (sir) has always been a well-wisher of our family and I am sure he will keep us close and not do that,” Uma said.
KV Thomas said on Wednesday, “Personal relations do not matter during elections and I will give more importance to the politics of development in elections,” Thomas said.
The CPI(M) had said in the last three elections that they have fielded fellow party travelers, but this time since it is a fight to end, they are focusing on those members of the party who have a strong base in the district. Most likely, they are likely to choose KS Arunkumar, a leader of a top youth wing of the CPI-M and a popular face on TV debates.
The BJP, which finished third on all previous occasions, is in a rush to finalize its candidate, while AAP and Twenty20 – a party with little roots in the district – have decided to announce a joint candidate. With which Thrikkakara by-election has become one. Quadrangular political battle, another rarity in Kerala.
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