CPM to take over Perumbavoor seat; Angamaly for Kerala Congress (M)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the Congress party is facing confusion over whether to field sitting MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly again in the Perumbavoor constituency, the CPM has made an unexpected political move in the constituency. An understanding has been reached for the CPM to take over the seat from Kerala Congress (M). Former MLA Saju Paul is likely to be the CPM candidate.

It has also been decided that the Angamaly constituency, which was contested by the Janata Dal (S) in the last Assembly election, will be given to Kerala Congress (M). In return, Janata Dal (S) will receive a suitable seat in the Malabar region.

In the last Assembly election, Eldhose Kunnappilly defeated Babu Joseph of Kerala Congress by a margin of 2,899 votes. Earlier, in the 2016 election, he had also defeated Saju Paul. However, Saju Paul had won the seat in 2011.

Although the Congress leadership had decided to give seats to all its sitting MLAs, a final decision regarding Eldhose Kunnappilly has not yet been made. The CPM’s sudden move has come amid this uncertainty.

Vijayan Thomas in Thiruvananthapuram?

The LDF is preparing a major move in the Thiruvananthapuram constituency, where the UDF plans to field C P John of the CMP. The LDF is likely to put forward Vijayan Thomas as its candidate. Vijayan Thomas had served as the chairman of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation during the UDF government.

The move comes as Antony Raju of the Janadhipathya Kerala Congress is facing obstacles in contesting the election. The CPM state secretariat, which is meeting today, is expected to take a final decision on the matter. The secretariat will also approve the CPM candidate list that has already been sent to district committees with suggested amendments.