The conclusion of the current round of local bodies elections may witness the rise of a new friend for the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in central Travancore: the Kerala Congress (Secular), owing allegiance to P.C. George, former Government Chief Whip who remains suspended from the Kerala Congress (M) and facing ouster from the Assembly under the anti-defection Law.
Speaking to The Hindu recently, Mr. George, who holds no formal ties with the party, said his continuation in the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) is out of question and he would decide on the timing of resignation from the coalition in consultation with his legal advisers and friends in the political circle. It will happen before the onset of the next Assembly session, he said.
Happy with the outcome
At the same time, expressing his happiness over the conclusion of the seat-sharing exercise with the LDF for the local bodies polls, Mr. George said he is happy with the outcome as the party has been treated decently by the front.
The party has been given three seats in the district panchayat: Poonjar, Kanjirappally, where the party contests in its official symbol bulb, and Kuravilangad, where party secretary general Thomas Kannanthara is contesting as an LDF Independent.
It has two seats in the Lalam block panchayat. The party is the major partner of the LDF in the newly formed Erattupetta municipality, where it is contesting seven seats under party symbol and a few others as Independents for the 28-seat council.
According to Mr. George, the party will contest one seat each in the Kannur district panchayat and Kannur municipality.
The KC(S) will contest one seat in the Iringalakuda municipality. In addition, it has seats in various grama panchayats in Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram, and Pathanamthitta districts, Mr. George said.
According to him, he is expecting good results from Meenachil taluk since the talks could be concluded to the satisfaction of both.
However, in Kanjirappally the talks remained inconclusive and this may reflect on the poll outcome.
