KOTTAYAM: Kottayam's 'Villain and Superstar' in election heat is one and the same, rubber. After 47 years, when Kerala Congress groups are clashing in Kottayam, rubber price is sure to be crucial. It will be crucial for Kerala Congress Joseph-Jose groups.

The UDF says that the reason for the drop in rubber prices is the Left Front. However, the LDF is trying to pin it on the head of the UPA government, which signed the ASEAN agreement. Even though the candidate was not announced, the BJP's side is that the import of rubber has decreased with the increase in customs duty and the incompetence of the state government is the cause of the crisis.

The first Pinarayi government's promise was to give a floor price of Rs 200. It could not be implemented even after eight years of continuous administration. Meanwhile, the floor price was increased from 150 to 170 rupees. The current announcement is that there is no objection to making it Rs 200 if the central government helps.

Scolding at Navakerala Yatra

Kottayam Left Front candidate and MP Thomas Chazhikadan raised the issue of falling prices before Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan when he reached Navakerala Yatra Pala. Instead of replying that it would be resolved, the chief minister scolded him asking why he is saying all this here. However, the Jose faction hopes that presenting the issue before their vote bank will be beneficial.

When the Samaragni Yatra led by K Sudhakaran and VD Satheesan reached Kottayam, both of them were presented with caps made of rubber sheets. Although they did not put the hat on their heads, both of them returned blaming the central and state governments for the rubber issue.