Rajya Sabha biennial polls in Kerala tomorrow

Despite the recent bickerings in the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), it is likely to be a smooth sailing for two of its candidates in the biennial elections to Rajya Sabha from the state tomorrow.

UDF has put up former union minister, Vayalar Ravi and former MP and IUML leader P V Abdul Wahab as its candidates, while the CPI(M) led LDF has fielded former Students' wing leader K K Ragesh (CPI-M) as their first candidate.

The LDF has also put up All India Youth Federation State Secretary K Rajan of CPI as second candidate for the polls to three seats from the state.

Polls were necessitated as the term of Vayalar Ravi, CPI(M) leader P Rajeev and CPI leader M P Achuthan expires on Apirl 24.

As per the present strength in the assembly, UDF could win two seats and the rival front one seat.

All arrangements have been completed and polls will be held at the Assembly complex from 9 AM to 4 PM, an official at the Chief Electoral Office said here today.

Counting would be taken up at 5 PM. However, with the permission of the Election Commission, counting could be taken up early if all members exercise their votes, the official said.

In the 140-member assembly, UDF has a strength of 73, while the opposition has 65 members. A lone member of Kerala Congress (B) K B Ganesh Kumar has recently snapped ties with the UDF. One seat is vacant following the death of former Speaker G Karthikeyan.

Troubles in the Kerala Congress (Mani), a key partner of UDF, with nine MLAs, had caused some anxious moments to the front as they surfaced in the run up to RS polls.

The rift between KC(M) supremo and state finance minister, K M Mani and party dissident leader P C George, had reached a flash point last week leading to the ouster of the latter as government chief whip and besides being striped of the party Vice-Chairman's post.

George had raised serious allegations of corruption against Mani and his son Jose K Mani, MP.

Even though another UDF partner JD(U) with two MLAs yesterday expressed unhappiness over the treatment meted out to the party, it made clear that it would vote for the front candidate and remain in the ruling combine.