CM Oommen Chandy speaks to MT Sulekha, seeks time to discuss candidature

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday spoke to late G. Karthikeyan’s wife M. T. Sulekha and sought time to meet her personally and discuss the candidature for the Aruvikkara bypoll.

The chief minister made the telephonic call after holding a detailed discussion with KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran and home minister Ramesh Chennithala at the KPCC headquarters, Indira Bhavan. Soon after arriving from Delhi, the chief minister was closeted with the two leaders for more than an hour to discuss the crucial byelection.

Sudheeran said that the discussions were progressing in the right direction and the UDF candidate would be declared at the earliest.

Earlier, a delegation of the District Congress Committee called on Suelkha at her home appealing her to contest from Aruvikkara. The majority of the state and district leaders are keen to field Karthikeyan’s wife to ensure victory for the ruling front.

With the LDF taking the lead in announcing M. Vijayakumar’s candidature, pressure is mounting from the local leaders in the constituency on the UDF leadership to declare the candidate for the prestigious electoral battle.