The Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) election victory in the new Anthur municipality is almost certain as its candidates in 14 wards have no rivals, including 10 wards where neither the United Democratic Front (UDF) nor the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded candidates. In four wards, the nominations of UDF candidates were rejected by the returning officer on Thursday. With an LDF victory thus ‘ensured’ in 14 of the 28-ward municipality, the UDF is not likely to nurse any hopes here. The possibility of the UDF winning all the remaining 14 wards is distant, especially since the region is a stronghold of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)].
The Congress leadership here has already alleged that the party could not field candidates in 10 wards, all women reservation wards, because of ‘intimidation’ by the CPI(M). Party leader and former MP K. Sudhakaran told a news channel that the CPI(M) resorted to threats to ensure that no rival candidates filed nominations in the wards.
The wards where the CPI(M) candidates were elected unopposed are Thalivayal, Mundapram, C.H.Nagar, Myladu, Anjampeedika, Paliyathu Valappu, Veniyil, Parassini, Kodallur and Morazha where the LDF candidate is P.K. Shyamala, wife of CPI(M) leader M.V. Govindan. Ms. Shyamala is set to be the next chairperson of the municipality.
The four wards where the UDF nominations were rejected during the scrutiny are Vellikkeel, Kanool, Podikkundu, and Punnakkulangara.
Ms. Shyamala denied the allegation that other parties could not file nominations in 10 wards because of intimidation by the CPI(M). She told a television channel that the areas were party strongholds, where the rival parties could find no candidates.
The rejection of the nominations of four UDF candidates has also raised eyebrows in political circles here. Congress sources said the issue would be examined to find if any foul play was involved.
No UDF, BJP contestants in 10 seats
Nomination of UDF rejected in 4 seats; no BJP nominees there
No rivals in 14 wards at Anthur,
a 28-ward municipality
in Kannur
