KOCHI: The expulsion from a political party and the birth of rebel candidates are not something new that the political parties face in their day-to-day working. Party members are expelled when they go against the policy of the said political body. Once the polls approach the number of people being expelled increases and the rebels can be seen standing against the official candidates. This time around too the same scenario was seen during the local body polls. But what took the cherry on the cake was the desperate manner in which parties rushed behind the rebels, who had been expelled, after the election results were announced.
In Thrikkakara Municipality both the fronts- LDF and UDF- are in the process of soothing the emotions of the two rebel candidates all with an aim to form the new governing council.
The deciding factor on who will make to the ruling benches rests in the hands of the two rebels. In the election results that were declared on Saturday, UDF won 21 seats and LDF bagged 20 seats in the 43-member council. To form the new council a party has to have 22 seats.
M M Nasar and Sabu Francis, rebel candidates of LDF and UDF, respectively, are the key deciding factors in the municipality now. To rule the municipality, UDF will need the support of any one of the rebel candidates while LDF needs both.
A month before the elections CPM had expelled M M Nasar for contesting in the local body election without the permission of the party. Sabu Francis was also expelled by UDF during the same period. According to party sources, Francis was expelled for playing a rebel game in the party.
Fast forwarding to the present, both the political parties can be seen offering the rebels top posts in the council. “Both the front have approached Francis. UDF too has offered him the post of vice chairman since Thrikkakara will be women-led council this time. Any how the decision will be taken only after consulting with prominent leaders. We have enough time to decide whom to support as the council will take the oath of office only by December 6 compared to the other local bodies,” said a close source associated with Sabu.
The LDF has also began approaching Nasar and Sabu Francis with amicable settlements. “I have to make up my mind yet. The decision will be taken after some days. Both the party leaders approached for support,” said Nasar when contacted.
Meanwhile, factional feud has erupted in UDF over the chairman’s post. A group has projected M T Omana while 'I' wants Ajitha Thankappan, who was the works standing committee chairman in the outgoing council, as the chairman. LDF has zeroed in on DYFI block committee member K K Neenu for chairman’s post.