With several of its main coordinators becoming candidates for the May 16 Assembly Election, the United Democratic Front (UDF) leadership has constituted a special committee to coordinate its election work.
The committee will be headed by UDF convener P.P. Thankachan.
The members are Punalur Madhu (convener), Beemapally Rasheed (Indian Union Muslim League - IUML), Arackal Balakrishna Pillai (Kerala Congress-M), Charupara Ravi (Janata Dal United), Sanal Kumar (Revolutionary Socialist Party), Vakanad Radhakrishnan (Kerala Congress-Jacob), N.P. Shaju (Communist Marxist Party), T.J. Saneesh Kumar (Congress), and B.S. Shiju (Congress).
Responsibilities
“The committee will be responsible for the preparation of election schedules of senior leaders in various districts; ensuring receipt and despatch of common campaign material of the UDF and looking after other election-related issues that need attention,” Mr. Thankachan said.
At present, leaders are in the dark about the proposed programmes, leading to local-level animosity.
Local issues
For example, IUML leader P.K. Kunhalikutty was listed as a main speaker at Tholikkode in the Aruvikkara Assembly segment, but thanks to a communication gap, he could not make it much to the consternation of UDF leaders who were looking forward to creating a positive impact on the sizeable Muslim community in some panchayats.
UDF sources here said several such reports were coming in from various constituencies, prompting the leadership to set up the special panel.
‘Committee will take care of election-related issues that need attention.’
