The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to field three taluk union members of the powerful Nair community in the election to the Palakkad municipal council as party-backed Independents.
Talking to The Hindu here on Tuesday, BJP district president C. Krishnakumar confirmed the decision and said a nominee of the SNDP Yogam would also be fielded in the civic election. He said the three NSS leaders had agreed to become party-backed Independents after obtaining clearance from the NSS leadership. Asked if the move contradicts the political stance of the NSS, Mr. Krishnakumar said it was an understanding only for the Palakkad municipality keeping in view of the peculiar situation there.
``The NSS leadership would not campaign for these candidates. But the leadership would not oppose their candidature. These candidates would continue to be part of the NSS leadership in Palakkad,” he said.
Making it clear that wresting control of Palakkad is the top priority of the BJP in the local body elections, Mr. Krishnakumar said the candidates list has already been prepared. Among the municipal councils in the Sate, the BJP has the largest number of councillors in Palakkad. It is the main opposition party in the council.
