KOTTAYAM: It is a do-or-die battle for Kerala Congress (M) chairman K.M. Mani in Pala where he has never faced defeat in its 50-year history since its formation in 1965. He is seeking re-election for the 13th time and it is a million-dollar question whether the number 13 will prove lucky for him as he is facing a number of adversities, including the bar bribery scandal, the split in the party, the disenchantment of the P.J. Joseph faction with him and the friend-turned-foe P.C. George’s attacks. He has also earned the enmity of a number of local depositors of the defunct Meenachil rubber marketing society and the Pala marketing society floated by the KC (M). The depositors have not so far got back their money.
The rubber farmers are also aggrieved by the crash in the prices of rubber and Mr Mani’s inability to help them. However, the KC (M) has intensified the poll campaign by conducting family meets and portraying Mr Mani as a victim of political conspiracy. He is also presented as a ‘hero of development’ who changed the face of Pala. He has served the constituency for the last 50 years as a legislator and finance minister who has presented the maximum number of budgets. In fact, his rise from a local DCC office-bearer to a prominent state leader was meteoric.
The Joseph group was unhappy with Mr Mani over his stand during the local body polls in Meenachil panchayat. The newly-formed Kerala Congress (Democratic) will take away some votes from his camp. However, those close to Mr Mani say that he will bounce back from the setbacks and prove his detractors wrong. He may reach a discreet understanding with the BJP in the last round to turn the situation in his favour, it is said.
He is paying more attention to Melukavu, Kadanadu and Moonilavu panchayats where the Kerala Congress (S) of P.C. George has its influence. LDF candidate Mani C. Kappan has conducted booth and mandalam conventions and has been meeting the voters personally. BJP’s district president N. Hari is also in the fray after Kerala Congress leader P.C. Thomas withdrew from the battle. The Pala constituency comprises Pala municipality, Bharananganam, Kadanadu, Karoor, Kozhuvanal, Moonnilavu, Meenachil, Melukavu, Mutholy, Ramapuram, Thalanadu, Thalappalam and Elikkulam panchayats.
