After much drama and confusion, the Congress finalised the list of candidates for the election to the Thrissur Corporation. The State leadership had to intervene on many occasions during seat sharing.
There has been confusion over candidature of Mayor Rajan Pallan till last moment as the Congress (A) leadership was against fielding the incumbent Mayor in the election. Chaos prevailed as Mr. Pallan insisted on contesting elections.
Meanwhile Congress (I) group come forward by offering seat for Mr. Pallan. Thus, both groups locked horns over Mr. Pallan’s candidature.
A popular person
Considering the popularity of Mr. Pallan, who gave a new face for the city’s development, the local leadership and MLAs from the district told State leadership that denial of seat to him would affect the poll outcome. Thus, top leadership intervened to give a seat for the Mayor. Later he filed nomination from Pallikkulam division of the corporation.
Senior Congress (A) leaders had earlier raised protest against highlighting Mahila Congress leader and Minister C.N. Balakrishnan’s daughter C.B. Geetha as Mayor candidate.
They argued that a non-controversial candidate should be highlighted as Mayor candidate. The clash between Congress (A) and (I) groups has created ire against Mr. Balakrishnan among Congress workers, especially after Haneefa murder case at Chavakkad. Later, Ms. Geetha was offered a seat at Ollukkara. In between KPCC general secretary Padmaja Venugopal came forward with an allegation that the Karunakaran group was ignored while sharing the seats. She sent a letter to the KPCC leadership seeking intervention. Finally consensus came after the Karunakaran group was given two seats.
Then came the protest of the Youth Congress, which alleged they were denied its rightful share of seats. More than 100 youth Congress activists conducted a protest march by removing their shirts two days ago.
Of the 55 division in the corporation, Congress (I) group will contest in 30 seats. Congress (A) got 18 seats. Rest of the seats were divided to Janata Dal United, IUML and Kerala Congress (Jacob). No seat was given to the CMP. Mayor Rajan Pallan will contest from Pallikkulam division and former Mayor I.P. Paul will contest from Chembukkavu division.
Twenty three sitting councillors were denied seats. While youth Congress leaders Sunil Lalur, John Daniel and A. Prasad were given seat at Ramavarmapuram, Patturaikkal and Civil Station respectively.
