Kerala's Vengara by-poll: UDF, LDF enter campaign mode

Malappuram: The United Democratic Front (UDF) set in motion its electioneering for the assembly bypoll in Vengara constituency on Wednesday. The election convention held at Vengara was attended by top Congress leaders including former chief minister Oomen Chandy, KPCC president M.M Hasan and opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala besides Indian Union Muslim League president Panakkad Hyderali Shibab Thangal and P.K Kunhalikutty M.P.

Ramesh Chennithala said that people’s sentiments against both the state and union government would be reflected in the bypoll which would be held on October 11. Kunhalikutty said that the UDF candidate K.N.A Khader would surpass the UDF’s Lok Sabha bypoll majority of more than 40,000 votes in Vengara constituency.

Both the major contestants Khader and LDF’s P.P Basheer completed the first round of campaign, visiting prominent personalities in the constituency during the past two days. With the submission of the nomination, they launched their respective campaigns on Wednesday. 
 
Nominations filed
Khader submitted his nomination before assistant returning officer and Vengara Block Development Officer Libu T Kurian. Khader was accompanied by Kunhalikutty, IUML district president Panakkad Sadiqali Shihab Thangal and District Congress Committee president V.V Parakash.

LDF candidate P.P Basheer submitted his nomination papers before deputy collector Sajeev Damodar in Malappuam. He was accompanied by CPM leaders Paloli Mohammed Kutty, A Vijayaraghavan and E.A Mondas. The LDF’s election convention will be held on Thursday at Vengara. CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan will inaugurate the meet.