Congress keen on handing over Thrikkakara to PT Thomas' wife
Uma and her husband cut their teeth in politics as activists of the Kerala Students Union (KSU) which is affiliated to the Congress.
Uma and her husband cut their teeth in politics as activists of the Kerala Students Union (KSU) which is affiliated to the Congress.
Uma and her husband cut their teeth in politics as activists of the Kerala Students Union (KSU) which is affiliated to the Congress.
Kochi: Informal parleys are on in the Congress party to zero in on the likely candidate for the Thrikkakara legislative assembly constituency as and when the bypolls are held. The seat which is a stronghold of the Congress fell vacant with the death of two-time legislator PT Thomas on December 22. Several party leaders are reportedly keen on naming his wife Uma Thomas as the candidate, though no formal bids in this direction are being made as of now.
Uma and her husband cut their teeth in politics as activists of the Kerala Students Union (KSU) which is affiliated to the Congress.
Uma's choice as the candidate is unlikely to face opposition within the party considering the immense respect for the departed leader.
Party sources say a few senior leaders based in Ernakulam too fancy their chances. Former diplomat Venu Rajamony's name too is proposed.
The 'A' faction is unlikely to give up the seat for bypoll. Uma's name is reportedly bandied about by the A group leaders.
Uma, however, played down conjectures regarding the party candidate by stating that no such thought has crossed the mind at this stage.
A bypoll should be held within six months of occurrence of a vacancy as per Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Accordingly, the bye-election for the Thrikkakara seat in Kerala' Ernakulam district should be held latest by June 2022.
Thomas passed away at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, on December 22.
Congress expects easy win
Congress party cannot afford to lose Thrikkakara in the bypoll as the voters here had stood by it in the last three state polls. Significantly, Thomas was elected with good margins in the 2016 and 2021 assembly elections in which the CPM-led Left Democratic Front attained majority to form the state government.
Congress candidate Benny Behanan had won from the Thrikkakara state assembly constituency in the 2011 assembly elections in which the United Democratic Front returned to power in Kerala. This was the first election after the formation of the Thrikkakara constituency.
It has to be seen how the CPM which is facing serious dissension in the party ranks in Ernakulam district overcomes the Congress challenge during the bypoll.