Puthuppally chooses son to replace father

KOTTAYAM: The people of Puthuppally have chosen Oommen Chandy's son as his successor. In the by-elections following Oommen Chandy's demise, Chandy Oommen has made a historic victory. Oommen Chandy's son's victory is with a record majority of 37,719 votes in the constituency where only Oommen Chandy has served for the past 53 years. CPM's Jaick C Thomas, who contested against Oommen Chandy on the last two occasions, suffered a hat-trick loss.

Chandy Oommen's victory surpassed the highest majority of 33,255 votes obtained by Oommen Chandy in 2011. He got 80,144 votes and Jaick got 42,425 votes. BJP district president Lijin Lal managed to get only 6,558 votes and will lose the election deposit money.

Jaick lost 11,903 votes from last time. BJP lost 5,136 votes. Chandy Oommen got 16772 more votes than Oommen Chandy. Oommen Chandy had got 63,372 votes. Jaick, who reduced Oommen Chandy's majority to less than 10,000, could not get a lead even in a single panchayat. Although the LDF was in power in six of the eight panchayats, Chandy's dominance was seen everywhere.

The counting of votes started in Ayarkunnam and Akalakunnam panchayats, where the Kerala Congress M has influence. With the lead there, the course of the wind became clear. Chandy dominated Manarcad, where Oommen Chandy trailed last time, and Pampadi, where he had a narrow majority. Even in his own booth in Manarcad panchayat, Jaick trailed by 146 votes. The only consolation for him was that he was ahead by 15 votes in Meenadom panchayat booth number 153.

Success factors

1. The people of Puthuppally have an emotional connection with Oommen Chandy.
2. Hatred of hurting Oommen Chandy by trapping him in a fake case.
3. Protests against the steep rise in the cost of living through various tax burdens.
4. The thought that the government is extravagant even though the state is in a severe financial crisis.
5. Accusations against CPM leaders including bank fraud.

Vote Status

Total...................................1,76,412

Polled .............................. 1,28,535

Chandy Oommen..................... 80,144

Jaick C. Thomas......................... 42,425

Lijin Lal............................................ 6,558

Luke Thomas (AAP)........................835

PK Devdas (independent)............. 60

Shaji (independent).........................63

Santosh Pulikal (independent).... 78

NOTA..................................................400

Invalid.................................................473

Appa's thirteenth victory. I will be with the development of the constituency without political and religious discrimination.'

- Chandy Oommen

Victory of Sympathy Wave. The LDF base has not changed.'

- M.V. Govindan, CPM State Secretary

Puthuppally's tribute to Oommen Chandy who conquered the world with love. Public sentiment against the government.'

-V.D. Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition