Kottayam: Kerala's Kottayam has always been a supporter of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). Comprising of Pala, Puthupally and Kaduthuruthi, among other places, Kottayam has never been supportive of the Left front and has traditionally supported the UDF for decades and remains so.
This time, however, for a change, the Left Democratic Front (LDF), along with the Jose K Mani faction has shattered many of the UDF fortresses, making history.
As Jose K Mani of the Kerala Congress replanted himself and allied with the Left, well glueing his political supporters in Central Kerala to his two leaves symbol, the victory of this alliance was beyond expectations. Even the Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI-M) might not have thought of such a scintillating win across the UDF forte while allying with Jose K Mani.
When the results of Kerala local body polls were out on Wednesday, the people's verdict clearly stood by the LDF, not just in Kottayam, but also in Pathanamthitta and Idukki. Even the traditional UDF fortes in the region, which have always stood by the UDF candidates fielded here, have turned to the Left, with Jose’s two leaves.
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The indications of a possible sweep were clear at 8.30 am on Wednesday, the counting day, as the 7 LDF candidates contesting to the Pala Municipality won, for the first time in the history of Pala. Finally, when the LDF - Jose faction alliance conquered UDF leader Oommen Chandy’s forte Puthupally and Manarcaud, it was the icing on the cake for the Left front, proving that their alliance with the Jose faction has only been beneficial.
Kottayam District Panchayat and 9 Block Panchayats went by the LDF along with Jose K Mani. The UDF, which expelled Jose K Mani and welcomed Joseph, has in effect been expelled from the political scenario in Kottayam. The LDF has won Pathanamthitta District Panchayat which it could only dream of, by joining hands with Jose K Mani. The status is favourable for the LDF in other municipalities including Thiruvalla.
Idukki district, where the Joseph faction was supposed to have a strong influence, has also gone with the LDF. Even in Joseph’s own forte, Thodupuzha, the UDF could not make a win comparable to its own victory in the previous years.
The victory in Idukki District Panchayat and Block Panchayats tying up with Jose K Mani has been a significant gain for the Left front.
Most District Panchayats, Block Panchayats and Grama Panchayats in Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta district where the LDF has remained in opposition for decades together, is now going to be ruled by Jose K Mani and the Left together.
The scintillating results of the LDF in this election, especially the ones crumbling the UDF fortresses in Central Kerala, can be evaluated as the answer to those who vehemently criticised the Left for inviting Kerala Congress’s Jose K Mani faction to the LDF when it was expelled from the UDF. The alliance with Jose has even helped the LDF gain epic victory in Kannur District’s hillside villages including Aralam and Cherupuzha, as the votes for Jose K Mani faction seem to have reflected here.
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The current trend is most likely to reflect in the upcoming Assembly elections also. This victory, shattering the UDF fortes in the region, will add more strength to the Jose K Mani faction, which claims that it is the original Kerala Congress.
Meanwhile, in Poonjar division, P C George’s Janapaksham candidates have defeated all the other three major fronts and become victorious. Shaun George, P C George’s son, has won in the Poonjar divisions by defeating the candidates fielded by the other three fronts with a clear lead.
Speaking to the media, Kerala Congress Mani faction leader Jose K Mani said that the election result is the answer to all who deceived Kerala Congress leader K M Mani. Along with the judiciary, the people have also recognised Kerala Congress, he said.
The verdict is a recognition for the LDF government’s public welfare activities. Jose said, that his faction could repeat the victory in all the seats which they had won while allying with the UDF. Jose K Mani said that he sees the victory in local body polls as a harbinger for the ensuing State Assembly elections.
