THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as K. S. Sabarinadhan emerged victorious with a margin of over 10,000 votes in the Aruvikkara bypoll, the talk of the town was that it’s Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's victory. With this thumping victory and projecting ‘unity in Team UDF’ as the key factor for overcoming all odds, Mr Chandy has indeed delivered a clear message that he’s undoubtedly the right person to captain the team in the Assembly elections less than a year away.
Adding salt to the wounds to those eagerly awaiting a chance to grab the baton from Mr Chandy, the UDF allies also affirmed his leadership by giving due credit to his ‘leadership’ and ‘humane face’ for this success.
What were the key factors for victory?
Unity in the UDF is indeed the key factor that worked and it’s a recognition of it. At no instance, I lacked trust in any of the ministers and they never overlooked me. We sorted out differences through deliberations. This is also a mandate for the development and welfare-oriented governance and even I had vouched that this would be a referendum on the government. Now, it has been proved that there’s no anti-incumbency. The victory is also a tribute of Aruvikkara to G. Karthikeyan and Sabarinadhan will rise up to their expectations.
Do you hope to repeat this trend in the general elections too?
This election result is indeed an indication. With this team work and holding high our agenda of development and care, we hope to ensure continuation of the UDF government.
Does this victory convey that you are the right person to lead the team in the next Assembly poll?
Those are things to be decided by the party high command. I can’t say anything on such matters now. It will be decided later on.
Are you concerned at the surge in the BJP votes?
We always prefer the Left as the main opposition in Kerala. But the Left parties should also have such a spirit. I am afraid that the Left parties are becoming irrelevant by resorting to baseless allegations and opposing development. This time also, the BJP cashed in on their wrongdoings.
Had the government’s liquor policy helped?
During the family meetings organised as part of the electioneering, I got a feel of how people, especially women, welcomed the liquor policy. Obviously, the election outcome was a referendum on all such pro-people measures.
Did you expect such a thumping majority?
From the huge response during the electioneering, I sincerely felt that the UDF would get a majority of above 10,000. I had even shared it with some of my colleagues. Our expectations became true in all panchayats, except Aruvikkara.
