Rebel chaos rocks all three fronts in Kerala: LDF, UDF, BJP troubled by internal conflicts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Three days after the nomination process began, rebels and internal conflicts are troubling all three major political fronts. Leaders switching sides overnight are confusing even the voters. While this is not new for the UDF, it has become a major headache for the cadre-based Left Front and the BJP, which usually maintains tight organisational discipline. Rebel trouble is more visible in the southern districts. Though front leaders hope to resolve disputes once nominations close, in many places the situation seems to be slipping out of their control.

Thiruvananthapuram:
The CPM suffered a setback when K. Sreekandan, who was the bureau chief of the party mouthpiece in the capital, filed his nomination as an independent candidate in the Ulloor ward of the Corporation. Liju is the official party candidate here. Minister V. Sivankutty tried to play down the issue, saying a big party will naturally face some problems, but the situation is clearly not that simple.

In the Muttada ward, Congress candidate Vaishna Suresh- chosen as the youngest candidate- had to withdraw from the contest due to a mismatch in the house number listed in the voters’ list. The BJP is under pressure after worker Anand K. Thambi committed suicide in protest over denial of candidature in Thrikkannapuram, and in Nedumangad, a Mahila Morcha leader attempted suicide after alleged humiliation by RSS workers.

Ernakulam:
In Thrikkakara Municipality, former SFI district committee member M.S. Sarathkumar is contesting as the Congress candidate in the Palachuvadu ward. UDF replaced Naushad Pallachi- who was being considered for the chairman's post if the front returned to power- with the CPM leader, leading to further tensions. What angered Sarathkumar was that the CPM chose Mumtaz Sherif, an ASHA worker, as the candidate instead of him.

Kollam:
In the Vadakkevila ward of Kollam Corporation, a rebel candidate emerged against BJP leader Colonel Binny, but the party leadership managed to resolve the issue strategically. INL, protesting against LDF’s denial of seats, has fielded rebel candidates in 10 wards.

Alappuzha:
At the grama panchayat level, internal clashes within the front are troubling the LDF in Alappuzha. The CPM and CPI are in open conflict in the Ramankari, Kumarapuram, and Muttar panchayats.