Congress undecided on Chengannur candidate

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress is yet to pick a candidate for the Chengannur byelection though the names of three leaders are doing the rounds-- former Mavelikara MLA M. Murali,  Chengannur Co-operative Bank president D. Vijayakumar and Alappuzha DCC general secretary Eby Kuriakose.    Mr Murali had represented Mavelikara Assembly constituency for four consecutive terms in 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006 and was defeated in Alappuzha constituency in 2011. He is said to be the favourite of Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala.

Vijayakumar, 65, a strong contender, was pushed down when Shobhana George represented Chengannur in 1991, 1996  and  2001  and P. C. Vishnunath  in 2006  and  2011. A  Congress leader told DC that though Vijayakumar is popular, Chennithala will root for Murali. He said that the day-and-night protest by the UDF on March 3 against the murder of Youth Congress leader Shuhaib did not take place in Chengannur due to local issues on the candidature.

Alappuzha DCC president M. Liju, who held booth-level meetings on Monday, told DC, "the byelection in Chengannur cannot be taken lightly after the North-East election results.  It is too early to say whether Alappuzha DCC general secretary Eby Kuriakose will be a surprise candidate," he said. "Indian politics has come to a stage when it will be referred to as before and after Tripura Assembly elections due to the drubbing the CPM has received at the hands of the BJP," he said.  He clarified that the day-and-night protest was not held in Chengannur,  Alappuzha and Mavelikara constituencies as the newly-elected block committees were  yet to take over.