The United Democratic Front (UDF) is likely to experience problems in the Kannur and Azhikode constituencies from rebel candidates as dissident local Congress workers led by Kannur Corporation council member P.K. Ragesh are planning to field candidates in the constituencies.
Supporters of Mr. Ragesh, a close confidant-turned-foe of Congress leader K. Sudhakaran, say that they will field candidates in the constituencies under the platform of Aikya Jandadhipathya Samrakshana Samithy. If what sources close to the group say is any indication, Mr. Ragesh himself will stand as a candidate of the group in Kannur or Azhikode.
Mr. Ragesh, who had broken away from the Sudhakaran camp over the issue of the dissolution of a local co-operative bank director board controlled by his supporters, had caused headache for the UDF in the election to the Corporation.
He had won as a rebel candidate from the Panjikkeel ward of the Corporation. It was his decisive vote that led to the election of Communist Party of India (Marxist) councillor E.P. Latha as Mayor. In the 55-member council, the UDF and the LDF have 27 members each and thus he remains a crucial member.
The sources close to the group said that the decision to field rebel candidates against the UDF candidates is in response to the Congress leadership’s ‘failure’ to re-constitute the local party committee at Chirakkal and Pallikkulam. The Congress leadership has not yet responded to the rebel threat.
Congress sources said that they are hopeful of finding a solution by initiating talks with Mr. Ragesh to address his grievances and demands.
