Kalpetta: The election in the Manthamkolly ward of Sulthan Bathery municipality in the district on Thursday would be crucial for LDF.
If the UDF candidate wins, the LDF, which wrested power in the newly constituted civic body through a political gimmick, will lose its majority.
In the ‘35-member’ civic body, the LDF now enjoys the support of only 16 members whereas UDF also has the same strength.
Both had bagged 17 seats each in the elections while the BJP had one. LDF wrested power when T.L, Sabu of Kerala Congress (M) switched sides, bringing the UDF strength down to 16, and that of LDF to 18.
The crisis originated when Shobana Janardhanan of Karivallikunnu ward died, and another member Sobin Varghese resigned as he received placement as a college lecturer.
If UDF wins in Manthamkolly, CPM will have to struggle to retain power.
P.V. Sahadevan of CPM was the first municipal chairman of the body for the first two years, now replaced by Mr Sabu as a reward for helping the LDF wrest the civic body.
Political leaders of all camps are focused on the single ward of Sulthan Bathery as a victory is crucial for both fronts.
