Ex-colleagues sweat it out in Changanassery

KOTTAYAM: Changanassery  is witnessing a keen contest between two  erstwhile party colleague, Kerala Congress (D) leader K.C. Joseph  and sitting MLA C.F. Thomas of Kerala Congress (M).  Former BJP district president Ettumanur Radhakrishnan is also trying his luck as  NDA candidate. 

C.F. Thomas, a high school teacher- turned politician, who began his electoral career from  Changanassery, won  eight consecutive elections from 1980 to 2011 and is seeking the mandate for the ninth time. Last time, his margin was reduced to  2,554 votes against LDF’s Dr B. Iqbal.

He has remained loyal to  KC(M) chairman K.M. in his trying times, including the bar scam.  Therefore, he was rewarded with the seat though there were demands to field  Youth Front (M) president Job Michael.

Dr K.C. Joseph, who had won from Kuttanad  five times, had initiated many developmental activities in that constituency. The LDF is presenting him as a ‘development hero’ who is set to alter the face of Changanassery.

Dr Joseph, though an MBBS degree-holder, never  practised medicine, but plunged into politics.  Knowing that he is considered as an outsider, he says, “here I also need the UDF votes to win and we are conducting a  subtle campaign without upsetting the opposite camp.”  

The stand of the powerful  archdiocese of Changanassery  headquartered in the town will  be crucial in determining the outcome. Ettumanur Radhakrishnan hopes to cash in on the  BDJS votes apart from the traditional BJP votes. The constituency with a total of 1,72,000 voters comprises  Changanassery municipality and the panchayats of  Vazhapally, Kurichy, Madapally, Payippadu  and Thrikkodithanam.