The Kerala Congress (B) claims that Pathanapuram and Kottarakkara are its strongholds
Balakrishna Pillai
KOLLAM: The LDF, especially the CPM, hopes to capitalise on its association with the Kerala Congress (B) led by Mr R. Balakrishna Pillai in the district, where the KC(B) has pockets of influence.
The CPM may be able to get the Nair votes in Kottarakkara and Pathanapuram, though Mr Pillai does not enjoy any clout at Perunna, the NSS headquarters.
Though the LDF had shunned community politics, the Kerala Congress (B) will help it lose its ‘untouchability’ with community votes.
The LDF will also try to cash in on the interest shown by Mr Pillai to join the LDF as a weapon against the UDF. It may be recalled that Mr Pillai and his son K.B. Ganesh Kumar had campaigned for the LDF during the Aruvikkara election.
The Kerala Congress (B) claims that Pathanapuram and Kottarakkara are its strongholds. However, Kottarakkara Assembly seat is with the CPM and the Pathanapuram seat was wrested from the CPI by the KC(B) during the last elections. Mr Ganesh Kumar or Mr Balakrishna Pillai himself may contest from one of these seats for the Assembly next year.
However, the KC(B) is facing a crisis as many of its members and leaders have left the party protesting against the decision of Mr Pillai to join hands with the LDF.
One prominent leader from Kollam who left the party is Mr Brijesh Abraham, who had been at the helm of the party for the last 25 years and was also a district panchayat member.
A large number of party members also joined the Congress along with Mr Brijesh, while former state general secretary V.S. Manojkumar and some workers joined the Kerala Congress (Jacob).
However, some workers who deserted the Kerala Congress (P C Thomas) group will support the Kerala Congress (B).
During the last elections, the Kerala Congress (B) had won the two seats it contested to the district panchayat and 30 out of 70 seats in the grama panchayat. In block panchayat, it won three seats out of the 10 it contested. However, the party could not make a mark in municipalities and the Kollam Corporation.
The party enjoys good support in Pathanapuram, Kottarakkara, Punalur, Neduvathoor, Chadayamangalam, Kunnathoor and Kundara. It is likely to field candidates who can trouble both the fronts to strike a bargain and may win a dozen panchayat seats.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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