ANGAMALY: When it comes to local politics, Angamaly Municipality presents a curious case. Traditionally, the municipality has shown a clear tilt towards the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF), being a Christian stronghold. However, the victory of Jose Thettayil, defeating long-term MLA P J Joy in the 2006 Assembly elections, opened a new era in the local politics of the region.
Thettayil repeated his victory in the 2011 Assembly elections, defeating Kerala Congress (Jacob) leader Johny Nelloor. Even though the anti-P C Chacko factor played a major role in that election, the success of actor Innocent in the Lok Sabha elections of 2014 was big shock for the UDF.
Angamaly is well-known for its political horse-trading. The past council was no exception. The number of seats won by the UDF - 15 out of a total 30 - only aggravated the confusion.
The LDF slogan for the present election is, ‘Why vote for the UDF, ultimately we will rule the council.’ Ever since the time of the first council in 1980, headed by the Excise Minister K Babu, the UDF comes to power after every election. But it never completes its tenure, with many councillors switching over to the LDF. This shifting of loyalties has always been the highlight of the municipality.
In 2010, UDF won the most number of seats, but not enough to rule the council. However, it somehow managed to secure control over the council and C K Varghese became the chairman. As things turned out later, Varghese was ousted from the Congress party and has now found a place in the LDF camp.
“At present, there are five groups in Congress in Angamaly. There are two factions each of ‘A’ and ‘I’ groups and there is also a P C Chacko-led group. The UDF could not even find a candidate in Ward 3, which is highly unfortunate. The present LDF-led council has completed one year now and we have launched many developmental activities here. People are fed up with the aggressive groupism in the Congress; hence, we are hopeful of getting a simple majority this time,” said a confident Benny Moonjely, LDF municipal election committee chairman, Angamaly. Benny also lists his achievements as the outgoing chairman which, he says, would attract votes for the LDF.
But, the UDF workers don’t buy the argument, saying that the front would win at least 20 out of the 30 seats in the elections. The major reason they cite is that majority of the UDF candidates are new faces and no seats were given to past councillors who had gone with the LDF.
“This time, seats were given as per the guidelines prescribed by the KPCC. Except Rita Paul and Mary Varghese, no councillor in the present council has been given tickets. The LDF candidates are contesting on party symbols only in a few wards, fearing defeat. There was a split in CPM strongholds like Vengoor, Kavarapparambu and Nayathodu. These factors are going to play a major role in the victory of UDF. Ward 3 was given to RSP, hence we decided not to contest from there,” said Adv K S Shaji, chairman, UDF Angamaly mandalam election committee.
Angamaly Municipality
■ Lok Sabha constituency: Chalakkudy
■ Assembly Constituency: Angamaly
■ No of wards: 30
■ Total voters: 27,216
■ Males: 13,385
■ Females: 13,831
Results of 2010 Elections
■ Total wards: 30
■ UDF: 15
■ LDF: 13
■ Independents: 2
■ Women councillors: 17