KOTTAYAM: With the Puthuppally constituency falling vacant following the demise of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, a by-election to the constituency is likely to take place within six months. Meanwhile, CPM has held discussions regarding the preparations for the by-election. The party believes that the Puthuppally by-election will not be delayed. It has been decided in the CPM Secretariat to start the preparations for the by-election. The party will begin the preparations after the CPM Control Commission (CC) meeting.

Meanwhile, although it is rumored that Oommen Chandy's son Chandy Oommen might be named as a UDF candidate in Puthuppally, Rahul Gandhi wants Chandy Oommen to work in Delhi. If Chandy Oommen agrees to this, he will be given a seat in the next parliamentary elections. If no one else from Oommen Chandy's family is ready to contest for elections, the names of Congress leaders will appear in the list of possibilities after 53 years. The votes of Orthodox, Jacobite, Ezhava, and Nair sects are crucial in Puthuppally.

The dispute between Orthodox and Jacobite factions is severe in the Puthuppally constituency. During the last assembly elections, CPM fielded Jaick C Thomas, who belongs to the Jacobite faction, eyeing the Jacobite votes. If Jaick is once again announced as a candidate, UDF district convener Adv Filson Mathews might be considered as a UDF candidate. If there is uncertainty in the candidature, the CPM will not hesitate to field a more popular face. Puthuppally constituency comprises of Puthuppally, Manarkkad, Pampady, Akalakkunnam, Ayarkunnam, Kooroppada, Meenadom, and Vakathanam panchayats. Six of these panchayats belong to the Left Front. Jose K Mani also has influence in Akalakunnam and Ayarkunnam panchayats.