Rebellion against Shafi, infighting in BJP, vote leak scare for CPM; Palakkad ramps up for crucial by-polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The by-election in Palakkad has opened fear of vote leakage within UDF and LDF while infighting is intensifying in BJP. By fielding Congress rebel P Sarin, CPM wants to improve their numbers and if not win the constituency from UDF. Until one week back, P Sarin was among the harshest critics of CM Pinarayi Vijayan and his sudden move to change course has not boded well with local CPM cadres.

Many CPM cadres consider it an abomination to sing praises of P Sarin, who had demeaned CPM in various instances. Adding to this comes ADM Naveen Babu’s suicide which has put the CPM Pathanamthitta and Kannur sections in loggerheads. Criticism has also surfaced against CM Pinarayi Vijayan for remaining mute over the controversial issue.

MLA Shafi Parambil’s imperious control over the party and the unilateral decision to field Rahul Mamkootathil in Palakkad has resulted in many resigning from Congress. The Youth Congress and Congress office-bearers of the district wanted a local leader to be the face of the party. Adding more salt to the injury would be MLA Anvar’s decision to field a DMK candidate in Palakkad.

The uproar over the candidate selection is causing uneasiness in the BJP. The demand to field Sobha Surendran in the Palakkad constituency went ignored. It is reported that some sections within BJP have stopped working on election campaigns in Palakkad. In the Chelakkara and Wayanad Lok Sabha seats, some sections within BJP believe the candidates to be 'weak'.