PC George's party in Kerala not to contest LS polls

Kerala Janapaksham headed by P C George, which supported protests by Hindu outfits over the Sabarimala issue, Wednesday said it would not contest the Lok Sabha elections but asked its workers to defeat "forces trying to humiliate and tarnish religious faith and traditions".

Kerala Janapaksham will not field candidates in any constituency, including Pathanamthitta, party Chairman and Poonjar MLA P C George said in a statement here.

This marks a shift in the party's stand as George had earlier said he would contest from Pathanamthitta constituency where the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa temple is situated.

He had said the party would also field candidates in Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Chalakkudi and Idukki seats.

In his statement Wednesday, George said it was time for the Kerala Janapaksham party workers to ensure the defeat of the forces trying to humiliate and tarnish religious faith and traditions" in the April 23 elections.

George had supported protests by various Hindu outfits last year against the implementation of the Supreme Court verdict lifting the traditional ban on entry of women in 10-50 age group into the Sabarimala temple.

He had come out openly against the CPI(M)-led LDF governments stand supporting entry of women in the menstruation age group into the famous shrine.

A revision petition against the September 28 last year verdict is pending in the apex court.