Kottayam: Several aspirants are lining up to stake their claim for the Pala Assembly seat that has fallen vacant following the death of Kerala Congress(M) chairman K.M. Mani. The prominent among them is Nisha Jose K. Mani. However, some loyalists are also in the reckoning, including K.J. Philip Kuzhikulam, Lopez Mathew and Baby Uzhuthualil. A few dissidents are also eyeing the seat if none from the Mani family is given a chance.
According to sources, the deciding factor will be the majority secured by Thomas Chazhikadan in the Lok Sabha elections. "If the majority is above 10,000 in the Pala constituency, someone from the family can be sure of the seat. If the majority is less, the seat may be given to an outsider," said sources.
The tenure of the winner will be only till 2021 when the Assembly elections are due. Jose K. Mani may take over the seat then, it is said.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a constituent of the LDF, has already
declared its candidate, Mani C. Kappen, for the seat without discussing the issue in the LDF.
The BJP and the NDA are also holding talks on the seat. P.C. George, Poonjar MLA, who has switched over to the NDA, wants his son Shon George to be fielded from there.
