Kottayam: P. C. George is trying to contest from Poonjar again, from where he had won last time, as an LDF-supported independent though there are moves against his candidature.
While a section of the CPM leadership in Poonjar led by its former area secretary Joy George is supporting Mr George, the present area secretary K.R. Sasidharan is not keen on him though he told DC that the “party leadership will decide the issue.”
Though a section of the CPM had already put up flex boards in support of its former district secretary K. J. Thomas in his home turf of Kootikal in the constituency, the boards were removed by the party.
The LDF is also considering former Kanjirapally MLA and former Congress leader George J. Mathew for the seat, who has the backing of the diocese of Kanjirapally. Some areas of former Kanjirapally constituency are now in Poonjar after delimitation.
According to sources, CPM politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan and a section of the party leadership in the district led by Vaikkom Viswan are opposed to Mr George while state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and another section of leaders are in favour of him. It is said that Mr George may have reached an agreement with the LDF leadership when he decided to sever his ties with the UDF.
“The (LDF) may give him the seat since he has a good base in the constituency,” said political commentator A. Jayashankar.
DCC president Tomy Kallany, a native of Poonjar, is vying for the seat whereas Kerala Congress (M) is planning to put a strong opponent in case Mr George is in the fray. “If the LDF supports Mr George, the KC(M) will field a strong candidate,” said a KC(M) leader.
