Janata Dal (Secular) faces uphill task

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While Janata Dal (Secular) is claiming to pull off  a back to back victory in its four for sitting seats, reports from the ground suggest that it isn't going to be an easy electoral battle this time. JD(S) state president Mathew T Thomas said if his party could record 100 per cent victory in 2011 when the LDF was facing anti incumbency, this time the situation is favourable. “Our candidates have wide acceptance. Moreover, people are fed up with the UDF Government and they are waiting for a chance to teach them a lesson,” he said.

The JD(S) is set to face a tough contest in Angamaly where it denied ticket to the sitting MLA Jose Thettayil. Benny Moonjely who is the LDF candidate is pitted against national president of NSUI Roji M John. A sizeable section of Thettayil supporters in the constituency are cut up with the party leadership for denying ticket to him.

The JD(S) leadership is trying to placate them and has even got Thettayil to issue a statement that Moonjely had been picked with his consent. In Kovalam Jameela Prakasam is facing new comer M Vincent.

When asked whether UDF claim on Vizhinjam would affect her prospects affect her chances, she replied: “Our development perspective is pro-people. The question is not whether you have brought mega projects here, but whether the local people benefited out if it or not,” she said.

Besides the four sitting seats, the JD(S) had lobbied hard and secured Chittur seat for K Krishnankutty. JD(S) claims that Krishnankutty would be able to reclaim the seat.

Sitting MLA K Achuthan, however, believes that Krishnankutty is not going to make any difference. “During his tenure as MLA, Krishnankutty failed to bring any development in this area. People know my work,” he said. Observers say as of now JD(S) looks confident in Thiruvalla, Vadakara and Kovalam, but polling situation could change either way in the coming weeks.