Thomas Isaac named CPM candidate for Pathanamthitta; Anton Antony to contest again with UDF

PATHANAMTHITTA: CPM central committee member Dr TM Thomas Isaac confirmed to be Left Front candidate for Pathanamthitta parliamentary constituency. The name of Thomas Isaac was accepted in the CPM district secretariat meeting held last day. State Secretariat members Puthalath Dinesan and Anavoor Nagappan attended the meeting. Thomas Isaac was accepted as a candidate in the district committee meeting held yesterday. Along with Thomas Isaac, former Ranni MLA Raju Abraham was also considered for the Pathanamthitta constituency. The district secretariat meeting directed Thomas Isaac to camp and work in Pathanamthitta. CPM State Secretary MV who arrived in Pathanamthitta last day. Govindan sought the opinion of district leaders as part of the candidate discussion. Thomas Isaac, who is in charge of CPM's organization in Pathanamthitta, has been active in the district for a long time.

Current MP Anton Antony is contesting for the fourth time in a row as a UDF candidate. He started the election campaign in the constituency before the announcement of the party. In the elections held after the formation of Pathanamthitta constituency, CPM leader K. defeated Anantha Gopan. In the elections that followed, the opponents were the left independent Philippos Thomas and the CPM candidate Veenageorge. Anton Antony was given another chance by AICC's suggestion that current MPs should contest.

Even though BJP leaders say that the contest in Pathanamthitta will be on the lotus symbol, rumours about the candidate continue. The names of PC George who came to BJP or son Shaun George, Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai are being heard. K Surendran was the BJP candidate last time in Pathanamthitta where there was a strong triangular contest.