Thiruvananthapuram: Kaipamangalam and Thaliparamba, the two constituencies which have created a controversy in the UDF, have one thing in common: RSP and Kerala Congress, which were allotted the seats, had no plans to contest the seats for they have no presence worth the name there.
Kerala Congress (M) had asked for either Punalur, Ranni or Perumbavoor instead of Thaliparamba while RSP had asked for Aroor. However, the Congress rejected their demand and the parties had to give in to ensure that they contested the same number of seats, 15 and 5, respectively, like they did last time.
The Kerala Congress (M) faced the ire of the local units of the Muslim League and the Congress In Thaliparamba who alleged that it was a payment seat. This was after Kerala Congress (M) fielded Rajesh Nambiar, president of the Nambiar Maha Sabha.
Mr Nambiar told DC that he was not a big entrepreneur who could afford to spend a big amount for an assembly seat. “The seat was allotted keeping in view the local Nambiar vote base,” he said.
The RSP candidate for Kaipamangalam, palliative care volunteer K M Noorudheen had contested as an AAP candidate from Chalakudy in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Mr Noorudheen said that he withdrew his candidature and will concentrate more on palliative care.
