KOCHI: Hardly making any attempt to hide his deep displeasure at the stand taken by KPCC chief V M Sudheeran, Thrikkakara MLA Benny Behanan, a close confidant of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, on Monday expressed his willingness to stay away from the polls.
Addressing a news conference here, Behanan said he had decided to pull out of the fray for the upcoming polls since the KPCC president was not keen on having him in the electoral race.
“I don’t want to put the party and Chief Minister in a crisis with my candidature,” he added.
According to him, “My candidature from Thrikkakkara constituency was endorsed by party workers, UDF leaders, religious and cultural leaders. Even the KPCC observers have no doubt about the victory (prospects) in Thrikkakara. Besides, no other names came up during the talks at the KPCC level. But, I have come to know that KPCC president put forward another name at the discussions held in New Delhi. At this juncture, it is morally wrong on my part to contest the elections”. Behanan, however, hastened to add that the UDF would definitely win in Thrikkakara.
Moreover, the Congress leader pointed out that even the Opposition leaders had not levelled any serious allegations against him in the last five years. “My father was a freedom fighter, who stayed away whenever he was offered candidature, is my role model. I started my political career as a KSU activist and have not once believed that a Parliamentary post is the ultimate goal of a political worker,” he said.
Meanwhile, Congress workers took out marches in Thrikkakara against the denial of seat to Behanan, who is the sitting MLA there. And the workers urged a rethink on the part of the high command regarding the party’s choice in Thrikkakara.
Earlier, Sudheeran had strongly opposed renomination for ministers K Babu, Adoor Prakash and K C Joseph as well as legislators Behanan and Dominic Presentation.
Hibi Bursts into Tears
Hibi Eden MLA burst into tears when he met Benny Behanan MLA, who announced on Monday that he would keep away from the poll fray. The young MLA, who came after Behanan briefed the media, could not control his emotion. “Benny Behanan is the apt candidate in Thrikkakara and the public and the party workers have also no differences of opinion regarding this”, Hibi later told mediapersons. K V Thomas MP also visited Behanan and held talks.