#Underdevelopment was discussed

KOTTAYAM: Oommen Chandy's lead in the 2021 assembly elections has been sharply reduced by the opposition of the Jacobite faction in the Orthodox-Jacobean church dispute and the perception that Pudupally has not experienced significant development even after half a century.

For the first time in history, Congress lost Puthupally in the 2020 panchayat elections. The LDF won in six out of eight panchayats in the constituency, which had been dominated by the UDF for ages. Jake C. Thomas, who came in second place was able to challenge Oommen Chandy, who had been contesting and winning in the constituency for a record of half a century. In 2016, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy defeated Jake by 27,092 votes in their first contest. In 2021, Oommen Chandy's lead has reduced to 9,044.

Jake managed to keep Oommen Chandy in Pudupally for a long time. Usually, he used to campaign for other UDF candidates during elections only visiting Puthupally for one or two days as it was a safe seat for him. If Chandy Oommen contests in the upcoming election, it will be a battle between the youth, between sympathy and development.

Factors affected lead in 2021

#The campaign highlighted that even when Oommen Chandy was the Chief Minister, he took a favorable position for the Orthodox Church without interfering in the church dispute which turned the Jacobite sect with a significant number of votes in Puthupally, against him.

#Jake's father Thomas's influence among Jacobite commoners also reduced Oommen Chandy's votes.

#The Left Front has raised the question of what development Oommen Chandy has brought to Pudupally despite serving as Chief Minister for two terms, holding various ministerial positions and being an MLA for half a century. The lack of good roads and a solution to the drinking water problem have been key issues.

Jake was able to garner more of the youth vote through a heightened campaign.