Anto Antony unpopular as MP: DCC

Thiruvananthapuram: In a major blow to Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony, the DCC is not favouring another term for him.

A DCC official confirmed to DC that the two-time lawmaker is not on their list submitted to the KPCC election committee meeting on Monday as anti-incumbency factor would work against him.

They nominated former legislator K. Sivadasan Nair, former DCC president P. Mohan Raj and the incumbent Babu George.

“Pathanamthitta DCC has assigned senior Congress leader P. J. Kurien to hand over the panel. Mr Antony has become hugely unpopular,” he said.

Another DCC official told DC that probably this is the first time in the country, a DCC had shown courage to exclude the sitting MP from the list contrary to the AICC norms. They are aware of the repercussions.

Contrary to his earlier claim to DC that only three DCC office-bearers had opposed his candidature out of 66, it is clear that he has become hugely unpopular.

Mr Antony said he's not aware of the DCC’s decision.

“As far as I know the Pathanamthitta DCC has not taken such a decision,” he told DC.

“Lots of false news are coming against me. When I asked the DCC office-bearers, they denied.”