KOTTAYAM: Chandy Oommen, the UDF candidate in Puthupally, clarified about CPM’s false propaganda against him. The CPM propagated that Vijayapuram panchayat former member George M Philip (Muttichayan) was insulted.

‘Dear friends, I had gone to the church on the day my candidature was announced. It is not morally correct to buy a shawl for the candidate before announcing. I look at things morally. I did not accept the shawl then given by Muttichayan because it was not right. It was circulated that I insulted him. So, I am honoring him by draping this shawl around,' Chandy Oommen said holding George M Philip closer and draping the shawl. George M Philip gave the same shawl back to Chandy Oommen.

Meantime, with only two weeks left for the campaign, left, right and NDA candidates in Puthupally have started their constituency tour. Onam celebrations, birthday of Ayyankali, Gurudeva Jayanti and Manarkad Ettu Nombacharanam will affect the campaign, so the candidates are busy electioneering to secure votes. Efforts have been made to meet as many voters as possible by visiting houses, shops and institutions.

Chandy Oommen (Congress), Jaick C Thomas (CPM), G Lijin Lal (BJP), Luke Thomas (Aam Aadmi), P K Devdas, Santhosh Joseph and Shaji (Independents) are the present candidates. Leaders will flock to Puthupally in the coming days. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will deliver speech at Ayarkunnam on August 24 for the Left Front, Puthupally on August 30 and six other panchayats on September 1st. Ministers will lead development seminars at 21 centers in the constituency from August 23rd.. CPM PB member Subhashini Ali will address the Women's Assembly.