High voltage campaign ends in Puthupally constituency

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The high-voltage campaign for the Puthupally by-election in Kerala's Kottayam district came to an end on Sunday evening with supporters of the LDF, UDF, and BJP putting up a massive show of strength in the constituency taking out separate roadshows.

The Puthupally constituency, formerly represented by former CM Oommen Chandy for 53 years, goes to the polls on September 5.

The Congress-led UDF has fielded Oommen Chandy's son and Youth Congress leader, Chandy Oommen, the ruling CPM-led LDF is banking on its youth leader, Jaick C Thomas, to secure an upset win in the constituency. The BJP, which came a distant third in the last elections, is attempting to improve its position through its candidate, Lijin Lal.

The electorate of Puthupally will head to the polling booths from 7 a.m. to 6 pm on Tuesday. The counting of votes is scheduled for September 8.

As per the list released by the Election Commission, the Puthupally constituency has 1,76,412 voters, including 957 first-time voters. The voters include 86,131 men, 90,277 women, and four transgender individuals.

The 26-day campaign for the by-poll, which was necessitated by Oommen Chandy's death on July 18, witnessed many highs and lows. Cases were filed against the supporters of rival fronts for carrying derogatory personal campaigns against Oommen Chandy's daughter, Achu Oommen, and Jacik C Thomas's wife Geethu on social media.

Besides the sympathy wave generated by Oommen Chandy’s death which the Congress believes will benefit its candidate, a wide range of issues was discussed during the campaign, centring around the underdevelopment of the constituency, rubber prices, corruption allegations related to the Chief Minister’s daughter and financial situation of the state.

The UDF leadership right from the outset declared that the by-poll will be a referendum on the performance of the Pinarayi Vijayan government. The LDF on the other hand has accepted the referendum challenge, it says the voters of Puthupally want a change to usher in fast-paced development in the constituency.

While UDF leadership is confident of a stupendous victory, with some leaders even predicting a margin of over 50,000 votes, the LDF leaders claim that their candidate will spring a surprise this time. Jack C Thomas, who is contesting for the third time in a row in the constituency, had brought down Oommen Chandy's victory margin from 27,092 in 2016 to 9,044 in the 2021 polls.

The outcome of the poll is crucial for the Congress and Oommen Chandy’s family as the party gears up to pass on the baton in the constituency to his son. As far as the CPM is concerned, a victory in the Oommen Chandy bastion will be historic in many ways.  Besides, the ruling front will also be able to raise its number of MLAs to 100 in the 140-member Kerala legislative assembly.