The littoral Kaikulangara division in Kollam city is watching a neck and neck contest in the local body polls this time. In this traditional stronghold of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), reserved for women this time, the Aam Aadmi Party is making a splash.
LDF candidate Sheeba Antony, a practising lawyer at the Kollam Bar, is facing a good fight from AAP candidate Divya Cyril, a law college student.
Since the constitution of the Kollam Corporation in 2000, only a CPI(M) candidate has won from the Kaikulangara division, having a strong Catholic population. But in this election, the campaign process from Kaikulangara is sending strong signals to the LDF that unlike the ‘hand,’ the ‘broom’ cannot be taken for granted.
Though the AAP is contesting five divisions, it is in Kaikulangara that the party is making its presence felt in Kollam. The LDF campaign managers admit to this new challenge but add that it has provided more vigour to the LDF’s campaign process in the division. CPI(M) leaders say that though there is a challenge from the AAP, there is no threat to the LDF candidate.
Unfazed by the LDF confidence, the AAP campaign by a group of committed activists is turning conspicuous. This race has given to another development and that is the possibility of the United Democratic Front candidate, Lali Biju of the Congress, cashing-in as many in the AAP camp now used to be in LDF camp earlier.
