Kollam: There are many UDF claimants for the Eravipuram constituency in Kollam, where RSP state secretary A.A. Azeez has declared himself as the candidate. The RSP had held the seat before its cross-over to the UDF. But the IUML, which has been contesting unsuccessfully from Eravipuram except in the case of P.K.K. Baba in 1991, has staked claims for it. Mr A. Younus Kunju, IUML district president, has threatened to contest as an independent candidate. Earlier, the IUML state leadership had intervened to give Eravipuram to the RSP and take Karunagappally instead.
The Congress also faces threat from rebel candidate Binoy Shanoor, who is the district president of Vyapari Vyavasayi Congress and a former Youth Congress leader. Several YC activists had complained that they were sidelined even in the local body polls.
The CPM’s list for the seat includes the names of Mr M. Naushad, former deputy mayor of Kollam Corporation, and Mr E. Shanavas Khan, lawyer and CITU state committee member. The CPI claims that Eravipuram is its stronghold and has included CPI state council member J. Chinju Rani in its list.
