THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nemom MLA and senior BJP leader O Rajagopal on Monday said that Congress candidate K Muraleedharan is a strong leader and a strong opponent. O Rajagopal said this when Kummanam Rajasekaran, the BJP candidate in Nemom, came to seek his blessings.

"K Muraleedharan, son of great K Karunakaran, is a leader with a strong political heritage," he said. However, he added that Kummanam Rajasekaran was a popular leader and that there would be strong competition in Nemom, the constituency won by a party other than the Congress and the Communists.

"Winning the election is a challenge for both parties. It was my own decision not to compete this time. Though I won't be contesting the election, I will be active in campaigning works," Rajagopal added With the blessings of O Rajagopal, Kummanam started campaigning in the constituency from today.