Five-time MLA and former minister from Thripunithura assembly constituency. The confrontation between the Congress and the United Democratic Front for fielding Babu has come at various levels with party officials, including the General Secretary of the District Congress Committee (DCC). If his demand was ignored, he openly threatened mass resignation.
At a press conference held here on Saturday, he ignored Mr. Babu and said that he would say about future action in such an event.
DCC Secretary General R. Venugopal claimed that Mr. Babu is the most suitable candidate to contest from the Left Democratic Front (LDF).
Mr. Babu was very active in the constituency for years and his popular appeal remained considerable, he said.
He claimed that the public sentiment was that of MLA of the House M.K. Swaraj was against and voters would react against her stand on issues including the entry of women into the Sabarimala temple. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had become an influential force in Tripunithura with a 30% increase in municipal areas.
Probability of uncertainty
Fielding a candidate known for the constituency will reduce the chances of the UDF and efforts should be made to stop the flow of Congress votes to the BJP.
Rebel leaders said that the demand to field Mr. Babu was born to test the BJP’s development and not because of apprehension over Mr. Swaraj’s candidature.
He said that there was no need for experimentation in the election being fought by the UDF with the aim of regaining power.
He said that former mayor Soumini Jain, who is a possible candidate for Thripunithura, has little connection with voters in the constituency.
DCC Secretary General RK Suresh Babu said that none of those who opposed fielding Mr Babu were party officials.
The rebel leaders claimed support for 120 booth presidents, presidents of six assembly constituencies, district general secretary of Kerala Students Union (KSU), KSU of assembly constituency level and Mahila Congress among others.
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