UDF to play up bank poll clashes

Kozhikode: Taking clashes and suspension of Naduvannur Regional Co-operative Bank elections on Sunday seriously, the UDF has decided to take it up at the state level.  On August 11, UDF leaders including former chief minister Oommen Chandy will attend a protest march and public gathering in Naduvannur at 5 pm. According to Congress district leadership, on the election day, apart from Mr Chandy, KPCC president, the Opposition leader, three MPs and nearby MLAs will also camp at Naduvannur. 

They are of the opinion that if the CPM could capture their traditional strongholds like Naduvannur using violence and police support, it would replicate in other parts of the state.   A strong protest at the very start of such a tendency would help stop it from spreading into other places.

“We have over 3,000-vote majority in the cooperative, and we cannot tolerate blatant violation of rules by CPM through violence here. We consider this as its first step to capture the banks in control of the UDF,” said Kozhikode DCC general secretary Nijesh Aravind.  Mr Chandy has intervened in the issue and given instructions to put up stiff resistance. Following clashes during the election to its administrative committee, the presiding officer collapsed and hospitalised. Alleging the CPM behind the attack to sabotage the elections, UDF enforced a hartal in Atholi, Ulliyeri, Naduvannur and Kottoor panchayats.