KOTTAYAM: Jaick C Thomas who is expected to become the CPM candidate, said that he will face the by-elections by discussing the development deadlock in Puthupally. He also said that he sees this as political competition, not sympathy. He also added that Saint Geevarghese is the only saint of Puthupally according to his belief. If compared to other constituencies of Kottayam, Pudupalli has stagnated development.

More than 40 per cent of the areas do not have drinking water. There is no good road, no employment institutions. Six out of eight panchayats are ruled by the Left Front. UDF is trying to play emotionally over Oommen Chandy's death. It's not worth it. He has been in the constituency for many years. The Left Front started a vigorous campaign by forming booth-level committees. As the campaign heats up, Jaick said, the race will rise to political levels.

An opponent of Oommen Chandy too

A native of Manarcad, Jaick was Oommen Chandy's opponent in the 2016 and 2021 elections. In 2016, he lost to Oommen Chandy by 27,092 votes. In 2021, the lead was reduced to 9044. He has worked as SFI State President, Vice President and Kottayam District President. He is also DYFI Central Secretariat Member and CPM Kottayam District Committee Member. He is the son of Manarcad church committee member late M T Thomas and Annamma Thomas. He has completed BA in Communicative English and MA in International Relations.