THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The by-election to the Aruvikkara assembly constituency, which fell vacant following the death of former Speaker G Karthikeyan on March 7, will be held on June 27.
June 27 is also likely to see Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha in the poll fray from D Radhakrishnan Nagar in Tamil Nadu. These two constituencies were among six from five states...
These two constituencies were among six from five states – the others are Chokpot (Meghalaya), Pratapgarh and Surma (Tripura) and Garoth (Madhya Pradesh) – where bypolls will be held by the Election Commission.
According to an EC statement, the notification would be issued on June 3, while June 10 will be the last date of filing nominations. Scrutiny of nominations is on June 11, withdrawal of nomination on June 13 and counting will be held on June 30.
The bypoll in Aruvikkara is seen by many as a litmus test for the Oommen Chandy Government in the wake of serious allegations raised by bar owners regarding a Rs 1 crore bribe allegedly paid to finance minister K M Mani.
The solar fraud involving Saritha S Nair is another issue haunting the government. The Congress is keen on fielding Karthikeyan’s wife M T Sulekha to cash in on the sympathy factor. It believes that the good will for the former Speaker in his constituency will see the party through in the by-elections.
However, the UDF is yet to take a decision on the candidate. On the other hand, the LDF has decided to field a CPM candidate for the bypoll.
As of now, the front runner for the candidature appears to be former Speaker and CPM strongman M Vijayakumar. The CPM district committee is meeting on Wednesday to take a decision on the candidate.
The CPM leadership is hopeful of victory especially in view of the serious corruption charges being faced by UDF ministers in connection with bar bribe case and solar fraud. It believes that a strong and experienced candidate would be able to overcome the sympathy factor.
