New faces to fight it out in Tripunithura

: New faces mark the list of candidates declared by CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front for the Tripunithura Municipality for the forthcoming local body elections.

Only five people in the list are sitting councillors in Tripunithura. Among those who are contesting again are S. Madhusoodanan, CPI(M), E.K. Krishnankutty, CPI, M.M. Biju, CPI(M), O.A. Omana CPI(M) and Sasi Vellakkat (NCP). Another NCP candidate Indira Satheesan was a councillor in the previous council.

C.N. Sundaran, CPI(M) leader, at a press meet on Monday said that it was the party dictat to go in for fresh faces this time.

“There was a problem in the selection of candidates last time, which cost us the municipality”, he said. On a query whether the party would project a chairperson candidate, Mr. Sundaran said that it was decided not to project anyone as a chairperson, but to take stock after the election results come in. Chandrika Devi, contesting from the IOC ward number 5, had earlier been a block panchyat member.

Mr. Sundaran said that the party faced a backlash last time on the issue of merging Thiruvamkulam panchayat with the Municipality. However, the people have realised that the merger had stood for good, he added.

Of the 49 seats, 25 will be women candidates, including three in reserved category.