CPM to back independent in Mahe

MAHE: In order to tackle Congress strongman E. Valsaraj's seventh time MLA dreams, the CPM has decided to support independent candidate Dr V Ramachandran at Mahe. The Party has decided not to field its own candidate since the leadership thinks that an independent can grab more general votes than a party candidate. Dr Ramachandran is a noted social and palliative worker in Mahe.

Meanwhile, Valsaraj, who was not interested to contest this time, changed his mind after the high command pressure. The Congress leadership feels that Party may not able to protect their citadel without Valsaraj.

“At this moment, it is very difficult to find an apt replacement for Valsaraj,” said a top Congress leader. Valsaraj's supporters have also started an online campaigning opening new Facebook page with the slogan ‘Valaranam Mayyazhi, Thudaranam Valsaraj’.

Valsaraj has been representing Mahe for the last 26 years, and he was the former Home Minister in the Congress cabinet in Puducherry (2006). He was  first elected in 1990, won the 2011 election with a majority of 6,104 votes (27.78% of total valid votes).

However this time, it will not be a cakewalk for him. It is learnt that the BJP and the ruling NR Congress may field strong candidates against him, unless they decide to support Dr Ramchandran.