Parties In Search Of Candidates For Ernakulam Lok Sabha By-Poll

Political circles were rife with speculations about the possible candidates for the May 29 Ernakulam Lok Sabha byelection even as both the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) are yet to zero in on a specific person as their respective choice.

The most prominent names being heard in UDF camp are that of former Union minister Henry Austin, state PSC member Prof Anotny Issac, local MLA George Eden and Youth Congress leaders like Simi Rosebell John against names such as V Viswanaha Menon, former state minister, E S Jose, a leading local businessman and T J Anjelose, former Alappuzha MP, which are being bandied about as the LDF probables.

According to UDDF sources, informal parleys are already on at various levels to evaluate the prospects of these persons and a few others, including some new faces. Ultimately, the

UDF candidate will be the joint choice of senior leader K Karunakaran, opposition leader in the Kerala assembly A K Antony and KPCC president Vayalar Ravi, subject to the final approval of the Congress high command.

In the case of the LDF, the CPI (M) politburo will make the final choice from the recommendations of the state committee and concerned district committee.