Former Chengannur legislator Shobana George, who kept Congress leaders in the State on the tether for almost a week by turning a rebel for the April 13 Assembly elections, has bowed out of the fray, withdrawing her nominations on Wednesday. The withdrawal is said to have been a result of a telephone call from Defence Minister A.K. Antony.
Ms. George, who was upset over being denied the seat that she had represented thrice on the trot, had managed to get the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church on her side, with some of the Church leaders even threatening to get their laity not to vote for any United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate in the Central Travancore region.
Efforts by the State Congress leaders to make peace with the rebel had fallen flat and Ms. George had also begun a full-steam campaign last week, going around with quite a few supporters. However, on Wednesday, reportedly after the intervention of Mr. Antony, she withdrew her nominations.
Talking to The Hindu , Ms. George said she had not settled for any shady compromise, but had decided to withdraw from the fray since leaders, including Mr. Antony, had assured her that her demands for the development of the constituency would be dealt with considerately.
“I had decided to contest as a rebel because I felt that those legislators who represented Chengannur other than me had done little for the constituency's development. But now, Mr. Antony and the other State leaders of the Congress have assured me that they would see to it that my plans for the development of Chengannur are implemented. I will be submitting a document detailing what can be done to the UDF candidate P.C. Vishnunath,” she said, adding that she would his candidature.
Mr. Antony's interference is also said to have calmed down the Church authorities, thus soothing the nerves of Congress leaders here for the time being.
