K. Maheshwaran Nair, the senior most Congress corporator is likely to be the UDF’s mayoral candidate
Jayan Babu
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Thiruvananthapuram corporation election could be a tough race, as usual, both for the LDF and UDF.
The LDF on Monday selected former mayor Jayan Babu to lead the pack to retain their fort while K. Maheshwaran Nair, the senior most Congress corporator is likely to be the UDF’s mayoral candidate.
With the RSP leaving the LDF, the CPI has raised the demand for 19 seats as against 17 it contested last time.
Other allies like the JSS, breakaway CMP and INL may have to settle for just a seat each, sources said.
Mr Babu, who became mayor in 1988 and 2005, needs to look for another constituency as his home constituency of Pappanamcode is reserved for SC candidates.
Similarly, Maheshwaran Nair is likely to contest from Mudavanmugal as his sitting seat of Poojapura went to women.
BJP leader in the corporation council, Ashok Kumar, will also contest from Vanchiyoor instead of home turf Palkulangara now a women-only seat.
There are differences in the BJP camp as a section wants state vice-president P.P. Vava to fight for mayor’s seat from Kowdiar.
Mr Vava is the former director of animal husbandry department. Rubbishing rumours of him being cut short to local body level, BJP veteran O. Rajagopal said he would not contest for elections in the city corporation.
Mr Rajagopal holds the responsibility for BJP election campaign in the capital city as his party has set a target of at least 30 seats.
Apart from Jayan Babu, the LDF would field five district leaders including Karamana Hari (Kara-mana), Puthankada Vijayan (Punnakkamukal), S. Pushpaletha (Nedu-ngaud), K.C. Vikraman (Pangode) and V. Jayaprakash.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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