With the announcement of Janata Dal (Socialist) candidate from the Kottayam constituency, the field is now set in Kerala for the general elections -2014. JDS state president and and MLA from the Thiruvalla assembly segment in Kottayam district, Mathew T Thomas, will take on Jose K Mani, son of veteran Kerala Congress leader KM Mani. Thomas was a minister in the Achuthanandan cabinet.
Kerala will see a direct fight in most of the constituencies as the two major fronts, LDF and UDF, had already announced their candidates. In some seats, like Kasragode, Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad, tri-cornered fight is on the anvil thanks to the presence of prominent BJP candidates. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has also fielded candidates in 10 seats. AAP's presence could pose a threat to both the major political fronts. All the candidates of UDF will contest on party symbols, while four Left Front candidates will fight as independent.
Only negatives of UPA -11 high lighted: Chacko
Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson and candidate from Chalakudy PC Chacko said the political situation was tough for the Congress and the party was looking for presenting a good opposition.
Addressing a meet the press programme arranged by the Ernakulam Press Club, he said the UPA-1 and 2 government's performance was excellent, but most of the developments that happened were still unknown to the people. This is because of the bad public relations practices. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh refused to meet the media despite repeated pleas by party leaders, he said.
"All of us told him several times that if not once a week, at least once in two weeks he should meet the media. Despite several pleas, for some reasons he did not do it. We even lost our patience on this. Unfortunately, only scams like 2 G Spectrum got much media attention. All the good things done by the government were submerged," said Chacko answering queries from the media. The situation was not favourable for the Congress and only time will tell if there will be a third UPA government. "We (second UPA government) failed to reach out to the people on what we have done," Chacko said.
However, he said, "Even if the Congress party at the national level is going to face problems, the party would do well in Kerala.". Chacko was Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) chairman on the 2G scam and represents the Thrissur constituency in the outgoing Lok Sabha.
Chacko, who faced stiff opposition from his fellow party workers in Thrissur, swapped his seat with that of KP Dhanapalan, who was elected from the Chalakudy constituency in the 2009 elections.
His controversial statement has created confusion in the Congress camp. KPCC president VM Sudheeran while rejecting his statement said the Congress had good chance in the elections. He also said Congress leaders should watch their words before speaking. N Peethambara Kurup, MP from Kollam, said, "he (Chacko) should not act like a prophet. His act was just like piercing a knife from the back. His words will adversely affect the morale of the Congress workers at the bottom level who are actively involved in electioneering."
Meanwhile, filing of nominations started in Kerala and the last date is March 22.
