KOCHI: Perumbavoor has been in the news for being one of the few Left strongholds in Ernakulam, a district which traditionally supports the Congress-led UDF. Since the formation of the segment in 1957, it has switched preference many a time. However, it has been staying loyal to the Left for the past 15 years, present UDF convener P P Thankachan being the last UDF winner in 1996. Saju Paul of CPM conquered Perumbavoor in 2001 defeating Thankachan by 1,188 votes. Since then Saju has never let go. Since 1957 till date, LDF had won the seat eight times (CPM-7, CPI-1) whereas UDF managed to win six times. Saju Paul’s biggest victory was in 2006, when LDF came into power in the state, by a thumping margin of 12,461 votes against Shanimol Usman. In 2011, Saju retained the seat, but with a depleted majority of 3,382 votes against Congress candidate Jaison Joseph.
As expected, the 2015 local body elections saw the victory of LDF in Perumbavoor municipality. In the 27-member council LDF bagged 13 seats, UDF eight and BJP three. Another significant factor about the segment is the major influence of PDP and SDPI. In the local body elections, they showed strength in many wards in the constituency. PDP candidate P M Basheer won the Masjid Ward defeating the Muslim League candidate.
Perumbavoor has 1,54,432 registered voters. It comprises 78,168 male and 76,264 female voters. According to political observers, Perumbavoor will witness a close encounter this time as well. As Saju Paul is the LDF candidate this time too many predict that his victory is certain. His acceptability and accessibility are often mentioned as his strong points. However, the UDF is in a dilemma. The probable candidates are former district panchayat president Eldhose Kunnappilly, KPCC general secretary Jaison Joseph and youth leader Manoj Moothedan. The most popular being Eldhose Kunnappilly as he had created impressive ripples in the district by launching many unconventional projects. The defeat in the last elections may go against Jaison Joseph. The UDF camp is busy weighing pros and cons.
But whether the UDF candidate will be able to stop Saju Paul from winning a fourth term remains to be seen, as equations keep fluctuating.
KC (Secular) to Go it Alone
Kochi: The Kerala Congress (Secular) has decided to contest the Assembly elections alone. The party will contest in seven seats, KC(S) chairman T S John said here on Wednesday. The party will field its candidates in Tiruvalla, Aranmula, Ranni, Harippad, Kottayam, Kanjirappilly and Piravom. John said they wanted to be part of the UDF, but the negotiations fell through as the Front declined its request on the number of seats for the party. John also said they have not held any talks with the LDF recently and they will not go with the NDA at any cost. He said the party has the support of some of the Churches. The party would come up with its list of candidates by the end of the week. On the matter of supporting P C George in Poonjar, John said the party would back him if he requests for it.