Thiruvananthapuram: Pathanamthitta sitting MP Anto Antony, 61, is not inclined to shift to a safe seat though there were dissident voices against him as he is considered an outsider who has done nothing for the constituency. The Sabarimala issue has also shaken the Congress which had remained unassailable in the constituency so far.
When KPCC president Mullapally Ramachandran’s Jana Mahayatra covered Pathanamthitta district on Monday, he reportedly spoke to DCC leaders supporting Anto Antony.
However, earlier the DCC had passed a resolution against him and insisted on a local candidate. Anto Antony, who belongs to Poonjar in Kottayam district, contested from there in the 2004 Lok Sabha polls only to be defeated. Due to his loyalty to his mentor, former chief minister Oommen Chandy, he was shifted to Pathanamthitta where he emerged victorious in 2009 and 2014.
However, local leaders say he has not started any developmental activities in the constituency putting off the voters.
A prominent ‘A’ group leader alleged that Anto Antony had no connection with the voters and was unpopular. Though he is a Catholic, his family has association with ‘born again’ group which had upset the locals further.
“Chandy and his group members are aware of the dissident voices against him. Recently, he settled differences with P.C. George MLA antagonising voters in Poonjar and Kanj-irapally Assembly seats due to the MLA’s proximity to the BJP,” said the leader.
“I have been working in the constituency and there is no need for me to shift to another safe seat. Out of 65 DCC office- bearers, only two spoke against my candidature. There is no anti-incumbency factor against me,” he told DC.
