For the United Democratic Front (UDF), rebel candidates might become a headache in the election to the city Corporation. With the nominations closing on Wednesday, the front is facing the prospect of strong rebel candidates even in wards which it was sure of winning.
At Valiyathura, three Congress members, Amala Paul, Sheela Anto and Rajeena, have filed nominations as Independents. At Vizhinjam, Sudheer Khan, sitting councillor from the Harbour ward, will be the rebel candidate. In fact, except Vettucaud, Congress might have rebel candidates in most other coastal wards. Leelamma Issac’s candidature from Nanthancode, a general ward, has also led to opposition from the party members. At Ulloor, the current opposition leader of the city Corporation Johnson Joseph might have to face some tough challenge from an ‘I’ group rebel candidate.
Youth Congress leader Vinod Yesudas, who had asked for Poonthura ward, was earlier given Shanghumughom ward. Following his refusal, he was later given Kunnukuzhy ward, where his chances of winning are slim, according to party sources.
Serious discontentment
“One of the things which led to so many rebel candidates from UDF is that none of the recommendations from the lower levels have been accepted by the DCC. The candidates were decided after some blind division of wards between the ‘I’ and ‘A’ groups. This has caused serious discontentment at the booth and ward levels,” said a Congress source.
In 2010, the UDF had to face the issue of rebel candidates in at least nine wards, out of which it lost eight.
