Young bloods to heat up Puthuppally battle

KOTTAYAM: The battle of young bloods of both fronts will flare up the by-election in Puthuppally. While the UDF is counting on a sympathy wave, the LDF is pointing out stunted development in the constituency as a weapon. 37-year-old Chandy Oommen is full of energy for his debut election. On the other hand, Jaick C Thomas has the experience of a hat-trick fight. A strong triangular fight is on the cards as NDA will also field a strong candidate by enumerating the central achievements.

Both the Congress and the UDF believe that they can easily retain the constituency where Oommen Chandy had been reigning for 53 years. The wave of sympathy for Oommen Chandy's demise and the fact that the son of Oommen Chandy is contesting, are positive factors. The UDF will also try to expose the anti-people policies of the government during the election campaign.

Meanwhile, CPM leaders are claiming that the LDF has the capacity to overcome any sympathy wave and win. Six of the eight panchayats in the constituency are being ruled by the Left.

The Congress is making a systematic effort not to give up the constituency. While the UDF came first in announcing the candidate, the LDF is putting up a close fight by activating even the booth committees.

Chandy Oommen met NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair at NSS headquarters the other day. He visited houses in Ayarkunnam panchayat yesterday. On the other hand, Jaick C Thomas started campaigning by visiting all eight panchayats of the constituency.