Many SNDP candidates may opt lotus
Among the 43 BJP candidates announced last week, there were no Yogam candidates
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ‘lotus’ is set to swamp the SNDP Yogam candidates as they will have to contest as BJP candidates on its symbol and not as independents in the local body elections.
The independents lack credibility and popular support as they are seen as amateurs and orphans without the backing of established parties, according to the BJP. In Thiruvananthapuram corporation, 8-10 Ezhava candidates are likely to be in the fray on the lotus symbol.
Most of the other districts have announced their Yogam candidates, but the list has been delayed for Thiruvananthapuram corporation. Among the 43 BJP candidates announced last week, there were no Yogam candidates.
“There is a double bonanza if the independent candidates contest under the banner of BJP. They will get plus votes when they contest on the ‘lotus’ symbol. In the next list there will be more Yogam candidates,” said a BJP leader.
Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan maintained that there were a number of BJP supporters within the Yogam. But he feared that both the CPM and the Congress were on a
a hunting spree for Ezhava candidates.
“The district Yogam leaders and the BJP district leadership will decide on the independent candidates and their symbol,” said Mr. Natesan.
The Thiruvananthapuram district BJP leadership released its candidates for 28 wards on Monday. According to a former senior BJP councillor, three of them will contest under the banner of SNDP Yogam. They are M. Thankappan , Sangeetha Satheesh and Prasood