A tough battle ahead for UDF : Piravom by-election
The CPM-led LDF opposition in Kerala Thursday started its election campaign for the Piravom bypoll with former Chief Minister V S Achutanandan claiming that the poll outcome would be a referendum on the six-month rule of the Congress-led UDF government.
The bypoll has been necessitated by the recent death of T M Jacob, former minister and Kerala Congress (Jacob) leader. While the UDF has put up Jacob's son as its candidate, M J Jacob, who had lost in the last election by a margin of 150 votes, will be the LDF candidate for the by-election. Jacob's name was approved by the CPM state secretariat.
M J Jacob is already a well-known figure in the constituency whereas Anoop is a novice in electoral politics. The Kerala Congress (Jacob) does not have sufficient strength in the constituency, which is another worry for the UDF . The fortunes of the KC(J) had always revolved around T M Jacob. Several panchayats in the constituency have a strong LDF presence, which also adds to the tough fight. However, the leaders say that Piravom had always stood with the UDF.
The LDF would be campaigning touching upon the issues of farmer suicides, rising prices of essential commodities, surcharge on electricity and scams of the UPA Government among other issues.
The UDF will be focusing on the development programmes initiated during the time of T M Jacob and the welfare activities unveiled by the Chandy Government.
The ongoing row over the ownership of the St Peter's and St Paul's Orthodox Church in Kolenchery plays a major role. The court had granted the right of administration of the church to the Orthodox faction, but the government is yet to implement the order, and is said to be looking to settle the matter in an amicable manner. The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has not taken any official stand but the Jacobite faction came in support of Anoop Jacob.
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