Notification for Puthupally bypolls released amidst demands by fronts to postpone date

KOTTAYAM: The notification for the Puthupally by-election has been released. Nomination papers can be filed from today till August 17 for the polls to be held on September 5. Scrutiny of the nomination papers will be held on August 18. The last date for withdrawing the nominations is August 21.

CPM requests to postpone date
CPM district secretary AV Russell filed a complaint with the election commission demanding the postponement of Puthupally by-elections. The complaint pointed out that Onam, Gurudeva Jayanthi, Manarcad fest in Puthupally constituency, eight-day fasting etc., would cause difficulty for the electioneering.

Cooperation Minister V N Vasavan while addressing the media said that instead of holding the by-elections within six months, announcing the date a month after Oommen Chandy's death is an unusual move. The minister also stated that the state government is also of the opinion that the elections should be postponed.

Possibility for Jaik
The chances for CPM district committee member Jaik C Thomas as the left candidate for the Puthupally by-election are more. Priority is for Jaik in the possible list of three persons prepared by the district committee. Reji Zacharia and K M Radhakrishnan are the other two. The CPM state secretariat meet will evaluate the list today and come to an agreement. The Puthupally constituency committee and the district committee will convene and announce the candidate tomorrow.

Chandy Oommen to file nominations on August 16
UDF candidate Chandy Oommen's election campaign is in full swing. Chandy Oommen visited A K Antony yesterday. Antony hugged and kissed Chandy Oommen, who arrived at his residence in Vazhuthacaud around 12 noon. Antony also blessed him. Chandy is likely to file the nominations on August 16.

The meeting was emotional and both were in tears. Antony's wife Elizabeth Antony and son Ajith Antony were at home. Chandy spent 25 minutes with Antony and requested him to come to Puthupally for campaigning. Antony replied ‘I’ll be with you and you will win.’ Antony asked him to visit maximum houses while campaigning.

Antony while talking to the media later said hounding Oommen Chandy by saying something that did not exist will be discussed in the Puthupally by-election. He added that the people of Puthupally will remember whether hounding him was right or wrong.

Chandy Oommen also called on Major Archbishop of Malankara Catholic Church Cardinal Mar Baselios Clemis Catholic Bava.