THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state leadership of RSP has decided to field Shibu Baby John as its candidate in the upcoming assembly by-polls. Party state secretary, A A Asees said that a letter specifying this development has handed over to UDF chairman and convenor A A Asees said.

Before September 9th, UDF will call for a meeting in which the candidate will be officially declared. UDF has high expectations over the local body polls. The by-polls is happening due to the demise of Vijayan Pillai who contested as CMP candidate in 2016 assembly polls and later joined with CPM.

Since 1977, people of Chavara has supported both LDF and UDF intermittently. In the previous polls, Vijayan Pillai defeated former minister Shibu Baby Joh for 6189 votes. LDF is considering the names of Vijayan Pillai’s son Sujith Vijayan and Chavara area secretary Manoharan but party insiders hold the view that their chances of winning is low. If that is the case, then they might send a state leader to Chavara.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders said that NDA will also meet to discuss candidate to be fielded in Chavara. BJP leaders have told that they have started campaigning for the local body polls. In local body polls, Chavara has always stood with LDF.