Thiruvambadi to witness do or die battle

Kozhikode, Nov 9: A keen contest is on the cards in the Thiruvambadi Assembly constituency which goes to bypoll on December four as it appears to be a challenge for both the principal political contenders in Kerala -- the CPI(M)-led ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) -- to win the seat.

Recapturing Thiruvambadi is equally important for the UDF as its candidates had won all the elections held since the delimination of the constituency in 1977, except last time.

A pocket-borough of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a UDF partner, a win would be a morale booster for the party, which romped home with a comfortable majority in the elections held since 1991.

Moreover, winning the seat would be sweet revenge for the 2006 electoral defeat of party veterans like P K Kunhalikutty, E T Mohammed Basheer and M K Muneer.

Although electioneering is yet to pick up momentum, both the coalitions had already started preparations for the battle of ballots after the declaration of notification by the Election Commission on November seven.

Expressing confidence about retaining the seat, CPI(M) district secretary T P Ramakrishan, who is overseeing the preparations, said the voters will repose faith in a secular candidate like Mr Chacko, who was able to end the UDF monopoly over the seat. Moreover, the work done by Mr Chacko, even from his hospital bed, would be an added advantage for the LDF, he claimed.

''We are looking for a candidate matching the calibre and leadership quality of the late leader, he said, adding sympathy wave for him would also impact the polling.

Dismissing his claim, IUML leader M Ummer said the UDF had a fair chance of regaining the seat, as Mr Chacko had failed to take up the burning issues of the people since he was confined to hospital bed after the election.

Mr Ummer said the UDF would field a seasoned leader to give a stiff fight to the LDF opponent.

Mr Cyriac John of the Congress won the seat in 1977, 1980 and 1982 and Mr P P George(Congress) in 1987. Since then the IUML's A V Abdurehman Haji represented the seat in 1991 and 1996 followed by his party colleague C Moyinkutty in 2001.

UNI