Chacko v Benny for UDF in Chalakudy, Dhanapalan loses out

Kochi: The UDF is searching for a candidate in Chalakkudy Lok Sabha seat as in the adjoining Ernakulam LS constituency while the LDF has announced sitting MP Innocent as its candidate. The actor-turned-politician has launched a full fledged campaign too.

The most intriguing development in the UDF camp is that P.C. Chacko, who did not show any interest to contest initially, has returned to stake claim on seat. Till then, UDF convener Benny Behanan was the sole high-profile claimant for the seat. With Mr Chacko joining the fray, it has become a tough race for even the UDF candidature.

Interestingly, the average voter and partymen long for the one time MP and former Ernakulam DCC president K.P. Dhanapalan who was shifted at the last minute to adjoining Thrissur seat last time when Mr Chacko fled from there to Chalakkudy seeking a safe seat.

Eventually, both lost and voters in Chalakkudy sympathise with Dhanapalan for being forced to shift to Thrissur and being defeated. However, on the radar of party higher-ups, Dhanapalan is yet to find place as a contender. The choice of partymen and voters between Mr Chacko and Mr Behanan, seems to be the UDF convener Benny himself.

However, entry of Twenty20 from Kizhakk-ambalam in the fray with its chief co-ordinator Sabu M. Jacob as candidate has cast a shadow over the chances of Mr Benny as Twenty20 is understood to have some scores to settle with the UDF convener. There are 28,000 voters in Kizhakkambalam and Twenty20 has the strength to pocket upto 25,000 votes.

The poor image of Mr Chacko never caring for the constituency may boomerang on him. He may find it difficult to reconcile over the loss to Innocent in last election in a seat considered a UDF fort. He would also find it difficult to boost the morale of party workers given these aspects.